The Incredible OSO Lanslide, March 23

The geology lecture series continues with Dr. Scott Burns (Portland State University) on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at 7:00 pm with “The Incredible Oso Landslide – America’s Deadliest!” Dr. Burns received his BS and MS degrees from Stanford and PhD from the University of Colorado. Scott is a Professor Emeritus of Geology at Portland State University (PSU) where he specializes in engineering and environmental geology, soils, geomorphology, Quaternary Geology and terroir. He has also taught at the university level in Switzerland, New Zealand, Washington, Colorado and Louisiana. An author or co-author of two books, over 80 articles, and over 200 published abstracts, Scott has worked on research topics as diverse as landslide, debris flow, radon and earthquake hazard mapping, heavy metals and trace elements in soils, loess stratigraphy, slope stability, Missoula Floods, bio-geomorphology (pocket gophers, tree throw, and ants), alpine soil development, and terroir (relationship of geology, soils, climate and wine). Of his many honors, Dr. Burns received the Public Service Award from the Geological Society of America (GSA) which is given annually to a member who reaches out to the public about geology Meritorius Service Award (2006) from the Engineering Geology Division (EGD) of GSA. Scott has won many awards for outstanding teaching with the most significant being the Faculty Senate Chair Award at Louisiana Tech University in 1987, the Distinguished Faculty Award from the PSU Alumni Association in 2001, and the George Hoffmann Award from PSU in 2007. He actively helps local TV and radio stations and newspapers bring important geological news to the public. All geology talks are free and are held in the Hales Center for the Performing Arts on Southwestern’s Coos Campus, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay. For those not able to attend in person, all lectures are Livestreamed and archived, with access from the College’s web site at www.socc.edu. Continuing sponsors of the lecture series include the Southwestern Foundation and the College. The final talk in the 2015-16 series is Dr. Seth Moran (Scientist-in-Charge of Cascade Volcano Observatory) with “Volcanoes in our Backyard: Hazards, Risks, and What We Can Do” on May 20, 2016. For additional information please contact Ron Metzger at 541-888-7216.