Paul Howell is a stratigrapher with broad research interests in earth history, environmental and petroleum geology, and geological education. Ongoing projects include:

• isostatic subsidence and lithospheric flexure associated with delta and submarine fan loading of the Mississippi River (with Dr. Mark Kulp, University of New Orleans)
• stratigraphy and sedimentology in the Pennsylvanian rocks of Kentucky
• subsidence patterns of the Michigan basin as they relate to its tectonic origins

The common theme through these investigations is documentation of stratigraphic relations and depositional environments coupled with quantitative evaluation of subsidence history and the effects of lithospheric flexure.

Paul's work with the undergraduate curriculum involves several areas of effort:

• encouraging more widespread use of
independent studies for undergraduates
• development of new, interactive learning strategies in the large lecture setting to enhance understanding and critical thinking skills
• use of the World Wide Web for enhancing science education

Howell, P.D., and van der Pluijm, B.A., 1999, Structural sequences and styles of subsidence in the Michigan basin: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 111, p. 974-991.

Martin, E., and Howell, P.D., 1999, Active inquiry, web-based oceanography exercises: Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Denver, CO.

Bonsangue, M., and Howell, P.D., 1999, Real data, real-math, all classes, no kidding: Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Denver, CO.

Howell, P.D., 1998, Involving the masses: the present and future of large classes: Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Toronto, Ontario, CAN.

Kulp, M.A., and Howell, P.D., 1998, Assessing the accuracy of Holocene subsidence rates in southern Louisiana as indicated by radiocarbon-dated peats: Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Toronto, Ontario, CAN.

Howell, P.D., 1998, Let's Get Physical: Lab Manual for Physical Geology: 7th edition, Lexington, KY, Johnny Print, 194 pp.

Reed, T.M., Lyne, K., and Howell, P.D., 1998, Pennsylvanian incised-valley reservoirs: a new look at an old Kentucky plan: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT.

Howell, P.D., 1997, Historical Geology: Chapter 37, in, Press, F. and Siever, R., Understanding Earth CD-ROM, Freeman Publishers, New York, 10 pages plus 40 photo illustrations.

Howell, P.D., 1997, Upside-Down Case Studies: a technique for introductory geology classes: Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Denver, CO.

Howell, P.D., 1996, Active learning and the WebC surfing and publishing in Historical Geology: Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 28, No. 7.

Kiger, C., and Howell, P.D., 1996, Truth or consequences: the Maquoketa-Trenton (!) petroleum system: American Association of Petroelum Geologists, Eastern section meeting, Charleston, WV.

Howell, P.D., Kulp, M.A., and Butler, D., 1995, Isostatic compensation in the Mississippi Delta, Part I: Quantitative models and mechanisms of uplift and subsidence: Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs, v. 27, no. 6, p. A341.

Howell, P.D., 1994, Doin' the P-Wave Dance: seismic waveforms in the classroom: Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs, v. 26, no. 7 p. A484.

Howell, P.D., and Leibold, A.W., 1992, Composite sequences in the Silurian evaporites and carbonates of the Michigan basin: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 76, p. 772.

Leibold, A.W., and Howell, P.D., 1991, Death of a carbonate basin: the Niagara-Salina transition in the Michigan basin: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 75, p. 619.

Howell, P.D., and van der Pluijm, B.A., 1990, Early history of the Michigan basin: subsidence and Appalachian tectonics: Geology, v. 18, p. 1195-1198.