Kurt Sundell

Kurt Sundell is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geosciences at Idaho State University (Pocatello, ID). His research integrates field geology with analytical techniques including U-Th-Pb geochronology, Lu-Hf geochemistry, and thermochronology to study tectonic and surface processes. He specializes in quantitative sediment provenance methods and crustal evolution, with focus areas in the Central Andes and Southern Tibet.

Dr. Sundell's research interests span tectonics, sedimentology, geochronology, and geochemistry. He develops computational tools for data analysis (e.g., AgeCalcML, DZstats) and investigates:

• Crustal thickening mechanisms in orogenic plateaus
• Detrital zircon geochemistry as a tectonic proxy
• Sediment routing responses to flat-slab subduction
• High-speed U-Pb dating methodologies

His publication trends show strong emphasis on:

• Detrital zircon geochemistry/geochronology (10/15 recent papers)
• Tibetan and Andean tectonic evolution (8/15)
• Quantitative sediment provenance innovations (6/15)
• Crustal thickness proxies and plateau growth (5/15)

Current grants include NSF-funded projects on microplastic river fingerprinting and ACS Petroleum Research Fund support for Green River Basin sediment routing. He actively advises graduate students (Robbie Manta, Jon Lever, Cheyenne Bartelt, Maria Reinoso) and collaborates with the Arizona LaserChron Center, where he develops community software and teaches workshops.