I’m Dr. Chris Rowan, an Earth Scientist currently living in Vermont.
Since completing my PhD on the tectonics of New Zealand in 2006, my research has focussed on understanding plate tectonics and deformation of the earth’s crust, on both global and regional scales, using geophysical data, paleomagnetism and rock magnetism, and scaled analogue models. I am also interested in geological education, particularly how students learn to visualise geological structures.
I have conducted fieldwork and taught field geology in many far-flung places, including the UK, Spain, South Africa, New Zealand, Oman, Utah, and South Dakota, studying rocks as old as the Archean and as young as the Miocene. I also have extensive experience using Python and R for processing, analysis and visualisation of spatial and geologic datasets.
Before moving to Vermont, I was an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at Kent State University, teaching courses including Introductory Geology, Natural Hazards, Geophysics, and Structural Geology. I also chaired the departmental curriculum committee and represented the department and School of Arts and Sciences on institutional committees
Since moving to Vermont, I have taught Environmental Geology Labs and Water as a Natural Resource as an adjunct at the University of Vermont, and am available as a freelancer for editing and review of scientific manuscripts and grants.
I have a long-standing interest in science communication, using my Highly Allochthonous to discuss geology, earth history, and natural hazards. I am currently active on BlueSky and Mastodon.