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Keith A Howard

Keith A. Howard is a Research Geologist Emeritus at the Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center in Menlo Park, CA. Since joining the USGS in 1966, he had a diverse geologic career investigating a wide range of geologic processes. Presently, his reasearch includes volcanology, Colorado River evolution, granite, and extensional tectonics.

Keith has conducted lunar and planetary investigations, Apollo astronaut training and mission support (1960s and 1970s), and field studies of volcanic and impact structures. He led a team that made the first national map of active faults and fault provinces of the United States and Puerto Rico. He conceived the USGS climate-research program and led the effort to gain support for the program and its acceptance by Congress (1970s). He led the Pacific to Arizona Crustal Experiment, geologic-geophysical transect across the SW USA (1980s-1990s). He has authored a range of studies of landscape evolution, crustal structure, planetology, and igneous and tectonic processes. 

Research Partners:

  • Arizona Geological Survey
  • National Science Foundation
  • University of Wyoming
  • University of Oregon
  • Queensland Technical Institute
  • Texas Tech University
  • University of Florida

Professional Experience

  • 2007-current, USGS Scientist Emeritus, Menlo Park, CA

  • 2014, Lecturer, San Jose State University

  • 1966-2006, USGS Research Geologist

  • 1974, Visiting Faculty, University of South Florida

  • 1962, USGS Geologist

  • 1961, Engineering Geologist, McCreary-Koretsky Engineering

  • 1960, Geologic Field Assistant, UC Berkeley

Education and Certifications

  • PhD, Geology, Yale, 1966

  • MS, Geological Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, 1962

  • BS, Geological Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, 1961

     

     

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • Geological Society of America, Elected Fellow, 1972

  • American Geophysical Union, 1969

  • Peninsula Geological Society, 1967; President 2008-2009

  • Geological Society of WA since 1975

  • Fullbright Asso.

Science and Products

*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government