What A Geologist Sees

One of the many beautiful aspects of studying geosciences is that it literally changes the way you see the world. In this video, I provide a very simplified/generalized overview of the North American cordilleran orogenic system. The purpose is to show you that, if you study geology, you will begin to see landscapes in an entirely new way. No longer will you just see and think “mountains!”; you will think “Precambrian basement rock exhumed in the Paleocene by a high-angle reverse fault!”
I hope this does an okay job of communicating how magic this feeling is. Regardless, thanks for watching and always keep learning.
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:47 Tour de western USA
19:20 Why study geology?
21:55 Goodbye
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.
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Facebook: / cadenjhowlett
Twitter: / cadenhowlett
www.cadenhowlett.com
Music:
Anno Domini Beats - Coast

[@mariahicks5513]

starting my undergrad in geology next week🥳

[@cadenhowlett]

woo hoo! Enjoy it and always feel free to reach out w questions as you move forward

[@larter_larter]

Although geology isn't my field of study, I recognize the fascination and excitement I think all researchers have, irrespective of their specific profession. I guess it's the feeling of curiosity and pure joy of being able to delve into new territories of knowledge. It's a genuine amazement (which I fully relate to) that shines through in your videos and is the reason I love your content so much. Everything is just so interesting! Keep up the good work, Caden! 🌎

[@cadenhowlett]

thank you - that is a very thoughtful and inspiring response. I've always appreciated your input on the channel. Stay curious ~~ :)

[@devinrichards8583]

At the start of the west coast tectonic mapping I was following right along and hyped bc my geology undergrad is paying off. Then you blew me out of the water with the depth of knowledge gained through your time in grad school. You're helping keep the dream alive Caden don't slow down.

[@cadenhowlett]

yo thanks for the motivation and glad you're learning about the Earth

[@victorhundebll5909]

Please do keep making your videos. Think these are super cool and also relaxing to watch, especially the ones where you are doing fieldwork. 4th year geology student here. Keep up the good work

[@cadenhowlett]

Yo thanks, you motivate me to keep going with this stuff. Have a great week

[@VictorHundebll]

Thank you. You two. Would love to see you do more fieldwork videos if possible. The one you made in Montana is very good and reminds me of when I did my fieldwork in the Scottish Highlands@@cadenhowlett

[@giorgoslaser]

I am a geologist from Greece and I love tectonics. A few years ago I visited the NW USA and especially the Cascadia Mountains. I am in love with the place and how organised all the national parks there are. Also, I really enjoy your videos and love to follow the work of people who have the same passion as me.

[@cadenhowlett]

the Cascades are amazing

[@ashmomofboys]

I’ve recently really gotten into geology and I’ve been obsessed with learning the geology of Colorado. It’s so cool to go on a hike and see a big rock face and truly understand what your looking at. Love this video!

[@abood3780]

Being a geologist may or may not be my dream job. I just wanna see what it’s like, so I really really appreciate this video

[@cadenhowlett]

salud hope it's helpful

[@jacobgardner5149]

Yeah, dude! This was so impressive! The fact that we can explain billions of years of history across a map like this is just astounding. You never cease to inspire me, man. Question: you said that, before basin and range extension, North America wasn’t as wide as it is today. Are there any estimates on how less wide North America was? Thanks, dude!

[@MagzzEditz]

Awesome video bro crazy to see the difference between the western states, geology is nuts

[@footballct14]

the Franciscan melange is so cool to drive through. come to CA when i’m back, let’s go

[@cadenhowlett]

that would be funnn. I saw a similar melange in Switzerland a few weeks ago and collected my first ophiolite hand sample (oceanic crust that smashed into Europe and was emplaced onto the continent). Now one of my favorite samples on my shelf

[@miqbarrios1931]

I’m going to NAU, studying geology and got back yesterday from the MT, ID, WY border. That whole area is amazing I wish it wasn’t as forecasty so I could have seen the structures from my airplane window

[@cadenhowlett]

oh hell ya buddy that is near my homeland. A special place with world-class geology (I've had to do my fair share of whacking thru the bushes to get to outcrop tho lol)

[@btobmelody349]

So true!

[@Monkeyfun13]

new vid woooo 😤🙌🏽

[@Canis_Fatalis]

Right away on the map, I noticed the Juan De Fuca plate subducting, the volcanic arc ranging from NorCal to Washington, The Basin and Range Province, The Sierra Nevadas, The San Andreas Fault and the Rocky Mountains. Thanks for sharing! This was a great refresher from the get-go.

[@cadenhowlett]

Excellent.

[@cadenhowlett]

Excellent.

[@zurlich9359]

Makes me want to do a similar thing for Cornwall in England where I work as a geo! Great vid

[@cadenhowlett]

Thanks! And you should that would be awesome - I would watch!

[@zacharyschmidt3187]

That thumbnail is accurate to your superhuman abilities. Thanks for the mini-lecture, Caden. Very interesting to see such remarkably giant structures represented as a tiny kidney bean shaped drawing. I love a window seat flying over the western US.

[@cadenhowlett]

thanks for watching homie! Yes, it is just a amalgamation of huge features. And they are all connected in some way -- a dynamic system..

[@Jaddu2]

This is so helpful

[@cadenhowlett]

yo thanks, glad you enjoyed

[@ardamellh]

nice vid. we need to see more content.❤

[@footballct14]

gas station caden