Lecture topic is the tsunami that hit this region in 1700
June 17, 2008 · Updated 4:32 PM
The most recent large earthquakes resulting in a tsunami in our region occurred 300 years ago, according to Dr. Brian Atwater, USGS, with the Department of Earth and Space Sciences at the University of Washington.
In the first of its 2005 Winter Lectures, The San Juan Nature Institute presents Atwater discussing "Orphan Tsumani of 1700: Earthquakes of North America" in two lectures: Thursday, Jan. 20, from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Commons, UW Friday Harbor Lab campus, San Juan Island, and Friday, Jan. 21, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Lopez Island Library.
Earthquakes of this magnitude measure eight or more on the Richter scale and occur on huge faults. Atwater has been studying Cascadia plate-boundary quakes for the past decade. "Along the Cascadia zone, marsh or forest has become tide flat after suddenly dropping several feet into estuaries," he said. Prediction and research methods for such cataclysmic events as earthquakes and the resulting huge waves known as tsunamis have been developing.
While this lecture was scheduled several months ago, the grim coincidence of the topic in light of recent events in Asia underscores the importance of Atwater's work. "Statistically," commented Atwater, "there is at least a 10 percent chance of a great quake in the next 50 years."
Winter lectures are also being offered on Orcas Island in partnership with the SeaDoc Society and YMCA Camp Orkila. Check the San Juan Nature Institute website for topics and dates: www.sjnature.org.
Lectures are free to the public with funding sponsorship on Lopez provided by the library. Both lectures will wrap up with time for informal visits with Atwater. Beverage and snacks will be provided. Call the San Juan Nature Institute at 378-3646 for additional details.
Comment on this story.
So keep your comments:
- Civil
- Smart
- On-topic
- Free of profanity
We ask that all participants own their words by logging in with their Facebook account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and “drive-by” commenters. We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using screen names, pseudonyms or false identities. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.
