Caption: Brandon Browne
Effects of a Mammoth Mountain Eruption
CSUF Volcanologist Discussions Predictions and Preparation
Feb. 10, 2011 :: No. 79
What:
Cal State Fullerton’s volcanologist Brandon Browne will discuss “Predicting and Preparing for the Next Volcanic Eruption in the Mammoth Mountain Region” Thursday, Feb. 17, during the university’s College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Colleagues Colloquium.
When:
Thursday, Feb. 17
7 a.m. registration; 7:30-9 a.m. program
Where:
Coyote Hills Golf Course, 1440 E. Bastanchury Road, Fullerton 92835
Who:
Browne, assistant professor of geological sciences, will speak about the hazards associated with potential eruptions in the vicinity of Mammoth Mountain: how such an eruption would threaten residents, infrastructure and economy of the nearby community of Mammoth Lakes. Over the past five years, Browne and Cal State Fullerton students have evaluated results from geological examinations of past basaltic eruptions near Mammoth Mountain, performing experiments of hypothetical lava flows via a thermo-rheologic model to predict the distance and paths of channelized basaltic lava flows as a proxy for constraining hazards associated with a future eruption in the Mammoth Mountain area.
Research:
Recent findings from geophysical studies indicate the presence of basaltic magma beneath Mammoth Mountain’s southern and southwest flanks. Ongoing seismic activity and the frequency of basaltic eruptions near Mammoth Mountain during the past 2 million years validates the need for a scientific investigation that addresses what should be expected in eruption style, magma volume and duration, if a future eruption were to occur in this region, according to Browne.
Cost:
Free for Colleagues Colloquium members; $10 for the public. Seating is limited. Reservations are required and may be made by calling Yvonne Moar at 657-278-3021 or RSVP online at http://nsm.fullerton.edu/colleagues/rsvp.
Additional:
The NSM Colleagues Colloquiums are forums held each academic year for experts to address key scientific issues, followed by public discussion.
Media
Contact:
Debra Cano Ramos, Public Affairs, 657-278-4027; 657-278-2414 or dcanoramos@fullerton.edu
