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.

Learn more about my journalism here.

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