Sense of Place: Geology Alive: Understanding Geologic Hazards in the Gorge

The great scenic beauty of the Gorge owes much to the geological processes that have shaped it.  Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides and debris flows still occur in the area today, and they can pose hazards to Gorge residents and visitors.  What is the scope, severity, and likelihood of these hazards?  How do scientists use evidence from the geological and historical past to evaluate the hazards, and how do they use models to forecast future hazards and inform our efforts to prepare for them? Join Dr. Richard “Dick” Iverson, Scientist Emeritus at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Cascades Volcano Observatory, as he digs into the geological hazards of the Gorge—and explains why they don’t discourage him from living here!

About the Speaker:

Richard (Dick) Iverson spent 34 years as a research scientist at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Cascades Volcano Observatory in Vancouver, Wash., and he remains affiliated with the observatory as a scientist emeritus. His work there has focused mostly on the dynamics of landslides, debris flows, and volcanic eruptions, with particular emphasis on evaluating hazards downstream from Cascades volcanoes.  Iverson grew up in Iowa, received his Ph.D. from Stanford University, and moved from Vancouver to Hood River in 2018.