Science

I’m a former industry and academic geologist, with over a decade in the energy industry as a Senior Geologist and several publications in peer-reviewed journals. My specialty is basin analysis, the juncture between sedimentology and tectonism. That said, my interests have expanded in recent years to include a broad range of subjects, including behavioral/social psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, and economics.

Publications

Riggs, N. R., Oberling, Z. A., Howell, E. R., Parker, W. G., Barth, A. P., Cecil, M. R., & Martz, J. W. (2016). Sources of volcanic detritus in the basal Chinle Formation, southwestern Laurentia, and implications for the Early Mesozoic magmatic arc. Geosphere, 12(2), 439-463. DOI:10.1130/GES01238.1

 

Howell, E. R., & Blakey, R. C. (2013). Sedimentological constraints on the evolution of the Cordilleran arc: New insights from the Sonsela Member, Upper Triassic Chinle Formation, Petrified Forest National Park (Arizona, USA). Geological Society of America Bulletin, 125(7-8), 1349-1368. DOI:10.1130/B30714.1

 

Riggs, N. R., Reynolds, S. J., Lindner, P. J., Howell, E. R., Barth, A. P., Parker, W. G., & Walker, J. D. (2013). The Early Mesozoic Cordilleran arc and Late Triassic paleotopography: The detrital record in Upper Triassic sedimentary successions on and off the Colorado Plateau. Geosphere, 9(3), 602-613. DOI:10.1130/GES00860.1

 

Riggs, N. R., Barth, A. P., González-León, C. M., Jacobson, C. E., Wooden, J. L., Howell, E. R., ... & Hemming, S. R. (2012). Provenance of Upper Triassic strata in southwestern North America as suggested by isotopic analysis and chemistry of zircon crystals. Mineralogical and Geochemical Approaches to Provenance, 487, 13-36. DOI:10.1130/2012.2487(02)

 

Howell, E. R. (2009). Sedimentological constraints on the evolution of the late Triassic Cordilleran Arc: New evidence from the Sonsela Member of the Chinle Formation, Petrified Forest National Park, AZ. In 2009 Portland GSA Annual Meeting.

Grants, Awards, And Honors

2015: LEAD Leadership Program, Noble Energy

2009: Research Grant, Four Corners Geological Society

2009: Research Grant, Petrified Forest Museum Association, Natural Resources Grant

2009: Research Grant, Sigma Xi, Northern Arizona University

2009: Research Grant, Friday Lunch Club, Northern Arizona University

2008: Research Grant, Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit

2007: Outstanding Senior Award, Geology Department, Appalachian State University

2007: Research Grant, Office of Student Research, Appalachian State University

2006: Awarded research assistantship based on academic merit

2006: Academic Excellence Scholarship, Geology Dept., Appalachian State University