USGS Evening Public Lecture Series

The USGS Evening Public Lecture Series events are free and are intended for a general public audience that may not be familiar with the science being discussed. Our speakers are encouraged to thoroughly explain the subject matter being presented, and to define any words or terms that may be unfamiliar to those not having a background or familiarity with the material being presented.

Lectures are held at the USGS Menlo Park Campus in Building 3, 2nd floor conference room A, Menlo Park, California. Click on Campus Map for building location and directions.

Thursday, February 28, 2013 Watch Live at 7pm PST
USGS, Conference Room A, Bldg 3,
Menlo Park, California

Is "THE IMPOSSIBLE" Possible in the Pacific Northwest?
-- Coastal Community Tsunami Hazards and Risk

by Nathan Wood, Geographer

The movie "The Impossible", currently showing in theaters, portrays the destruction of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami
Recent tsunami disasters in the Pacific Ocean testify to their destructive power -- are similar events likely in the Pacific Northwest?
Geographic research is helping to understand the risk, assisting planners with developing effective emergency response plans
Which coastal communities are at greatest risk, and what can be now to prepare for future Cascadia tsunamis?

February Flyer (Acrobat PDF)

Upcoming 2013 Public Lecture Schedule

Monthly lectures are usually scheduled for the last Thursday evening of each month during most of the year but are occasionally presented on the preceding Thursday evening to accommodate our speakers. Also, the November and December lectures are scheduled earlier in the month to avoid conflicting with speaker and customer plans during the holiday season.

(This schedule is tentative and subject to change. Check back later for details.)

March 28th --The implications of the Sierra Nevada snowpack for future Northern and Central California water supplies, by Oceanographer Daniel Cayan
April 25th --In recognition of "Earthquake Awareness Month". Development of the Quake Catcher Network, by Geophysicist Elizabeth Cochran
May 30th --"Ultra-High Resolution Four Dimension Imaging in the Earth Sciences",new 3-D research applications for studying earthquakes, vegetation providing integral support for levee systems, glacier motion, and volcanic processes. By Geophysicist Gerald Bawden.
June 27th --In recognition of "National Oceans Month". Deep-sea mineral resources, and their importance and value in today's global economy. By Geologist James Hein
July 25th --A comprehensive overview of the Department of the Interior's Climate Science Centers by Director of the Southwest Climate Science Center, Stephen Jackson
August 29th --An update on research being conducted in Yellowstone National Park, together with the latest findings with respect to regional volcanic hazards and risk assessment. By Geologist and Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Jake Lowenstern
September 26th --A recently completed USGS video product on wildfires and implications of changing climate conditions on wildfire hazards and the risk. By Ecologist Jon Keeley
October--TBD
November 21st --In recognition of "National Native American Heritage Month". Navajo Land-Use Planning Project that incorporates satellite imagery to track sand dune movement on the Navajo Reservation by Geologist Margaret Hiza
December 12th --Methylmercury in the environment and concerns posed by concentrated amounts being present in various landscapes. By Ecologist Collin Eagles-Smith

USGS Public Events Calendar (Recorded Message) --- (650) 329-5000. For additional information OR if you would like to be added to the email notification list for future USGS Evening Public Lecture Series lectures, please email Amelia Barrales or call (650) 329-5136.

Is "THE IMPOSSIBLE" Possible in the Pacific Northwest? -- Coastal Community Tsunami Hazards and Risk

Upcoming 2013 Public Lecture Schedule

Is "THE IMPOSSIBLE" Possible in the Pacific Northwest?
-- Coastal Community Tsunami Hazards and Risk