The lecture is part of the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) and the Seismological Society of America (SSA) Distinguished Lectureship Series. The event is free and open to the public.
According to current research, seismic waves from large earthquakes can trigger tremors thousands of miles away, even in places not prone to earthquakes. Since 1992, at least 12 of 15 major earthquakes stronger than magnitude 7.0 have triggered distant quakes, including the devastating 2004 Sumatra earthquake, which coincided with tremors in Alaska and Ecuador.
Velasco’s talk will investigate the physics behind earthquake triggering and their implications for hazard assessment, how earthquakes start, and whether other events, such as nuclear explosions, can trigger earthquakes. The talk will also explore how seismologists can use earthquake records to monitor nuclear explosion treaties.
In addition to delivering his lecture, Velasco will meet with university faculty and administrators to discuss ways to bring increased diversity to the curriculum to better suit the needs of Chicano and Native American students.
As the out-going president of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), Velasco’s background is well suited to addressing these challenges.
“Dr. Velasco offers navigation and guidance for how we can diversify our thinking in the classroom,” said Jacquelyn Bolman, chair of HSU’s Indian Natural Resource, Science, & Engineering Program (INRSEP), one of the talk’s sponsors. INRSEP hosts a student chapter of SACNAS.
In 2008, Velasco partnered with HSU Geology Professor Lori Dengler through the American Geophysical Union to develop geology curricula at universities across the country.
A video of Dr. Velasco’s lecture will be available in the HSU Library and broadcast this fall on Access Humboldt, the county’s public access television station. For more schedule information, visit http://accesshumboldt.net/ah/content/our-channels.