Leah Youngquist
Professor Youngquist teaches general geology with an emphasis on tectonics, environmental impacts, and earth-society interactions. Their research focuses on understanding the co-evolution of mountain belts, rock material properties, and surface processes, in addition to a specific focus on subduction zone fault mechanics.
Leah Youngquist
Visiting Assistant Professor of Geology
- Science Addition AG21
- P: 540-458-8015
- E: lyoungquist@wlu.edu
Program Affiliations
I teach introductory geology courses in the Earth and Environmental Geosciences Department that emphasize and synthesize field, lab, and classroom experiences. My classes highlight the importance of human influence on the Earth system, including agriculture, natural resource extraction, groundwater use and abuse, and environmental contamination. Not only do we learn the problems, but we learn the solutions too!
My research interests are focused on understanding the co-evolution of physical processes in tectonically active settings, particularly at convergent margins. I use a combination of field, lab, and quantitative methods to answer questions like: How do subduction zones host repeated megathrust earthquakes? What pathways do rocks take in the subsurface before exposure? How do rock properties evolve during exhumation? My research emphasizes interdisciplinary relationships between tectonics, structures, material properties, and surface processes.