Lecture to focus on volcanic eruption forecasting

Submitted by Amy Hartley
Phone: 907-474-5823
02/15/10

In a state that contains many active volcanoes, understanding their behavior is critical to public safety. Since 2006, Alaska has experienced eight volcanic eruptions, so scientists are working hard to provide advance notice of these episodes by analyzing volcanoes’ histories and the nature of their rumbling.

On Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. in the Westmark Gold Room, Michael West will discuss probabilistic eruption forecasting in his lecture, "Listening for Magma: How to Forecast a Volcanic Eruption." Although this work is in its infancy, the approach ultimately allows Alaska’s emergency managers to make better decisions about how to prepare the state when a volcano begins to show signs of unrest. West is a research assistant professor with the Geophysical Institute and the Alaska Volcano Observatory. His lecture is the fifth installment in the 2010 Science for Alaska Lecture Series.

Science for Alaska is sponsored by the Geophysical Institute, UAF and Alyeska Pipeline Service Company. The series runs on Tuesdays through Feb. 23, 2010 and is free to the public.

Hands-on activities for all ages begin at 6 p.m. inside the Gold Room. Families are welcome.

ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Michael West, assistant research professor of seismology, 907-474-6977, or west@gi.alaska.edu. Marmian Grimes, UAF public information officer, at 907-474-7902 or marmian.grimes@alaska.edu.

ON THE WEB: www.scienceforalaska.com

AH/2-15-10/150-10