Caden Howlett
tectonics
research
Education
2020-present
PhD in Geosciences
University of Arizona
2018-2020
MS in Earth Sciences-Geology
Montana State University
2014-2018
BS in Earth Sciences-Geology
Montana State University
I am a PhD candidate at the University of Arizona studying geoscience, broadly interested in convergent margin systems.
I am working with my advisors Barbara Carrapa and Peter DeCelles to determine the structure and kinematics of the Andean thrust belt between 32-35°S, with particular focus on the hinterland region on the border with Chile.
My research interests involve integrating geologic mapping, low-T thermochronology, geochronology, and thermal history modeling. My work considers new data in a regional context, enabling the testing and/or creation of tectonic and geodynamic models. I love dabbling with GIS software and learning about the complexities of the apatite fission-track method.
Interested in planetary field geology and aspire to conduct field work on the moon or Mars.
Updates
New Publication (March 24): First paper from the TANGO tectonics group, led by my field partner Chance Ronemus. We present new measured sections, geologic mapping, and geochronology data from the Manantiales Basin in Argentina. doi:10.1029/2023TC008100
February 2024: Off to the Andes for a few months - see ya!
February 2024: Invited talk at the University of Idaho on Feb. 1 dealing with the kinematics of the Sevier thrust belt in western Montana. Also guest speaker at the 16th Gem & Jam Festival on February 4, giving a talk on the geology of the solar system entitled "ROCKY PLANETS & ICY MOONS"
New Publication (January 2024): I self-published my first book LIFE & SPACE on January 26, 2024. It represents a laid back passion project that I've been working on for five years. Check it out here.
October 23: Another talk on some Andes work at GSA Connects in Pittsburgh, PA (doi:10.1130/abs/2023AM-394540). Co-convened session T160 Convergent Margin Systems with Chelsea Mackaman-Lofland, Chance Ronemus, and Mary Braza.
New Publication (October 23): The first paper from our 2019 Tibet expedition was published in Terra Nova, led by my buddy Dr. Kurt Sundell. We quantify the Late Cretaceous to Neogene crustal thickness of southern Tibet using single-grain detrital zircon chemistry. Data support the opening of a back-arc basin prior to the final India-Asia collision. doi:10.1111/ter.12689
New Publication (September 23): New paper representing the first chapter of my PhD dissertation published in GSA Bulletin. We present new low-temperature thermochronology data (AFT & ZHe), mapping, and cross sections from the Little Belt Mountains (western Montana, USA). A regional space-time synthesis from the Helena Salient is considered in the context of critical taper theory. doi: 10.1130/B37081.1
September 23: Presented Age-elevation relationships from Cerro Mercedario (6720m) record exhumation of the La Ramada massif, high Andes of western Argentina at the 18th International Conference on Thermochronology, Riva del Garda, Italy.
February 23: I joined the ALFA Mars team, an international group of scientists and engineers searching for life on the red planet. We are working towards a Mars analog experiment in the Arctic in the coming years. See more on the project here.
February 23: I did a Q&A with the UArizona College of Science discussing science communication and recent geoscience outreach efforts. Check it out here.
January-February 23: 6-week field season in Argentina and Chile with Mr. Ronemus. Good times!
October 22: Presented more new science from the Little Belt Mtns at the Annual GSA meeting in Denver.
doi: 10.1130/abs/2022AM-382668
January-March 22: 10-week field season in south-central Andes (31-36°S) with Chance Ronemus. Successful summit of Cerro Mercedario (6720m; 22,050ft).
September 2021: Presented central MT Laramide work at the 17th International Conference on Thermochronology in Sante Fe, NM. doi.org/10.1002/essoar.10508006.1
New Publication (August 2021): New paper in Tectonics with Aislin Reynolds and Drew Laskowski. We present geologic mapping, igneous zircon U-Pb geochronology, zircon (U-Th)/He thermochronology, and Lu-Hf isotopes from the Anaconda metamorphic core complex in western Montana. doi.org/10.1029/2020TC006431
June-July 2021: Field season in Little Belt Mountains, central Montana, USA
April 2021: Presented preliminary low-T thermochronology results from Little Belt Mountains at 49th Annual UA GeoDaze research symposium. Best graduate talk award
New Publication (December 2020): I published a paper in Geosphere with my MS advisor Drew Laskowski. We present new DZ U-Pb and Lu-Hf data from the Flint Creek Basin in western Montana and test the utility of these techniques for tracing the source of placer gold. doi.org/10.1130/GES02226.1
August 2020: Started PhD in Geosciences Department at the University of Arizona.
July-August 2020: Field season in northern Laramide of Wyoming and Montana.
New Publication (May 2020): New 1:24,000 scale geologic map across the Anaconda detachment fault, presented as a USGS/MBMG EDMAP sheet.
March 2020: Defended my MSc thesis at Montana State University, titled: Syn-orogenic magmatism, mid-crust exhumation, and placer gold deposition: The Anaconda metamorphic core complex of western Montana.
July-August 2019: Field season in south-central Tibet with Andrew Laskowski, Kurt Sundell, and Aislin Reynolds.
July-August 2018: Eight weeks in Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness mapping quadrangle as part of EDMAP program with field partner Aislin Reynolds.
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