Science in the High Andes | Day In The Life of A Geologist

University of Arizona Geoscience PhD students Caden Howlett and Chance Ronemus recently completed their second field season in the south-central Andes of South America (31-36S). This video records another day in our life…a big one! We map surficial geology, investigate potential faults, sample rock for thermochronology, and take a long hike thru the high Andes of Argentina. Please reach out with any geology-related questions and I hope you enjoy the video.
Our work is part of an interdisciplinary effort to understand the geologic evolution of the Andean mountain belt (TANGO; the “Trans ANdean Great Orogeny”). Funding for this research is provided by the Frontier Research in Earth Sciences (FRES) program and the National Science Foundation (NSF). For more information on the broader work being conducted, see this recent Q&A Caden did with the UA College of Science:
science.arizon...
If you would like to support my science communication efforts, I have a Patreon where I share my favorite films, music, books, podcasts, and more: / cadenhowlett . There is an accumulating number of Patron-only KZbin videos on the platform. Any contribution on Patreon goes directly back into this platform.
Follow Caden:
Instagram: / cadenhowlett
Facebook: / cadenjhowlett
Twitter: / cadenhowlett
www.cadenhowlett.com
Follow Chance:
Instagram: / livingbychance
Music:
Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata (Piano Sonata No. 14, Op. 27 - I. Adagio sostenuto)
PhantomOnTheTrack - HabbaBabba

[@atlas7097]

I'm currently studying geology and I find your videos inspiring... hope someday I can get there too!

[@cadenhowlett]

you can my friend!! work hard and have fun :)

[@Nanu-km9vj]

Just finished my Geo field camp in the Rockies about two weeks ago and the experience completely solidified my desire to go into mineral exploration. Seeing this video and how you guys are out there in such a beautiful place trying to unravel the geology just makes me excited for the future. I’m glad there are people like you and Chance in the world that can appreciate being out there in the field, thanks for your videos, you inspire me to pursue graduate school! Editing because I promise I typed all that before the end of the where you gave the little motivational speech lol

[@aaronhargis2440]

Currently an undergrad student for Geosciences and I can't wait to be in the field like you guys don't stop making videos!

[@cadenhowlett]

that's great Aaron - thanks for watching, I hope you find it helpful

[@benjamincolumbus]

Good video, as a new historical geology student it really helped me understand what you're looking at to see the aquilco on top of the vaca muerta with the context of the tordillo and aquilco below it.

[@cadenhowlett]

glad you got something out of it Benjamin. It sounds like you paid close attention--appreciate you

[@prajvalverma8335]

I am really motivated to take up geography for undergrad, your videos are really helpful, knowledgeable and entertaining 💚 you're an inspiration 🌎

[@cadenhowlett]

I appreciate your comment

[@kmatejovsky]

Great and inspiring content as usual, Cade! Yeah, nothing beats a fresh pair of socks. Hopefully, catch up this Summer.

[@cadenhowlett]

luv u Kev, hoping to see you in July in MT :)

[@juliahowlett1008]

So awesome to feel like I am hiking along with you. This must be so helpful to aspiring Geologists. Good work! great video.

[@haydenr6208]

Haven’t started my geo major yet but these videos are really motivating me to get past calculus lol

[@cadenhowlett]

lol hell ya ! It was tough for me too, thankfully had one good teacher and was able to squeeze thru 😂

[@NMesich]

Best geology influencer in the game

[@cesarcastillo3903]

Hey man your content is awesome, keep growing!!

[@larter_larter]

You two are just like von Humboldt and Bonpland. (Don't know who of you is who.) 😉 Video's like this, with the beautiful landscape make me appreciate being an Earth inhabitant. I love astronomy, but we should not forget how beautiful our own planet is. 🌎

[@cadenhowlett]

what a nice thing to say haha. i want to be von Humboldt, Chance can be Bonpland. thanks for watching

[@zacharyschmidt3187]

Another great video. Your explanations were helpful for following your thought process and even cooler was to watch your decision making evolve throughout the day. Love it

[@priscillamartinez6750]

Howlett stans rise up 🫡

[@footballct14]

great video, as always. learned something new today

[@dancooper8551]

Loved every minute of this video! Your content is excellent.

[@cadenhowlett]

YO thanks for stopping by Dan, means a lot and I hope you learned something!

[@2124693]

Nice explained video. Geophysicist from Pakistan

[@leokuyl2843]

The cheese and fresh cut salami is such a classic field lunch hahaha

[@BongoFerno]

You have to cover the microphone with a piece of sponge or at least cloth, to stop the sound of the wind

[@JeremyHansPatrick]

So did the breccia form, after which the calcite grew concentrically and after some time (maybe change of conditions or resurfaced) it started dissolving again? like is that the reason for its webby appearance? Wouldn't the resurfacing event then be like really young, since it hasn't all dissolved yet or does that also take longer?

[@bongieger7871]

Do you feel comfortable saying your GPA's for BA and Msc and what extra stuff you did (if that's the case) to get better chances at a PhD?

[@chanceronemus7634]

Research experience is the most important factor. There's usually some GPA cutoffs, but a 4.0 isn't necessary. My BSc GPA was mid 3s. Potential PhD advisors will care much more about your research output during your MSc than your GPA (but you usually have to maintain a 3.0 or so to stay in the program).

[@cadenhowlett]

Hi. Simply put, GPA is far less important than research experience. My BS GPA was 3.5 I think--I got some C's during my early undergrad and it didn't matter in the greater scheme of things. Research experience during undergrad is extremely valuable. Approach faculty/grad students/postdocs in your departments and see if anyone is looking for help with research. If you're interested in field geology--find people who do field geology and ask if you can go with them! Thankfully, many schools are getting rid of standardized testing (e.g., GRE), which is a contentious issue but I think they are a horrible gauge for grad student success (I was ~50th percentile on all portions of the GRE). Being passionate and curious is the most important thing--and if you have those traits and combine them with undergrad research you will find yourself in a PhD program before you know it

[@kevineeverhart7869]

What can you tell us about your truck? It obviously didn't come from AZ, but it looks like y'all have it pretty well set up for remote fieldwork /camping.

[@kevineeverhart7869]

Btw I just love the distortions in beds @ min 18-19

[@cadenhowlett]

it is a 2018 toyota hilux. one of the best trucks I have ever used. they don't pass emissions standards in North America but are very common in South America. It is equipped for offroading w internal roll cage etc. We can essentially take it where ever we want - thanks to our friend and colleague in Mendoza.

[@alexblair4615]

Hey man, love your videos as an aspiring geologist at the University of Canterbury! One question out of the many orogenies in the world why study this one in Argentina?

[@cadenhowlett]

Yo thanks Alex! A variety of factors led us into the Andes of Argentina. First, we are funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation that focuses on the evolution of the Andes specifically (what we call a 'Cordilleran' orogenic system). The Andes have lots of unanswered questions relating to the structure of the crust, the thickening of the crust, the geometry of structures accommodating crustal shortening, etc. The combination of funding and specific questions that we are trying to answer make the Andes a perfect case study. Finding from the Andes can be compared to the western US (another Cordilleran system, but one that is much older and has been extended). Lots of people in our department work in the western US and the Himalaya as well, where other questions are being addressed. Other things that decide where we work are things like land accessibility, international collaborations, and preexisting projects.

[@jhspacek]

Nice! How long does it take you to cut and edit your videos?

[@cadenhowlett]

yo yo thanks. From blank slate to video uploaded...I would estimate around 20-30 hours (depends on the video).

[@geoffgeoff143]

First you need a mole hill and a dramatic person

[@mohizkhan5919]

Nice I'm from Pakistan I'm very interested in it and we have Karakorum mountain 🏔️ k2

[@cadenhowlett]

thanks for stopping by - I would love to see the Karakorum some day...