12 March 2012

'Earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanoes - living on a dynamic planet' - public lecture at University

Photo opportunity: 6:45pm on Tuesday, 13th March at Tower Building, University of Dundee. Professor Monro and Dr Campbell will be meeting pupils from Monifieth High School and Glenalmond College.

Natural disasters, such as last year's Japanese tsunami that killed thousands and almost caused a nuclear meltdown, will be explored in a British Science Association lecture at the University of Dundee tomorrow.

Professor Stuart Monro, Scientific Director at Our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, will be speaking at the D'Arcy Thompson Lecture Theatre on Tuesday, 13th March. The public lecture, entitled 'Earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanoes - living on a dynamic planet' takes place just days after the first anniversary of the cataclysmic event in Japan.

Devastating earthquakes, like the one responsible for the tsunami, and volcanoes, like those currently burning homes in Hawaii, will be covered during Professor Monro's talk, part of the National Science and Engineering Week events taking place across the UK from 9th-18th March.

The event is being hosted by the Tayside and Fife branch of the British Science Association. Professor Monro will discuss some of the greatest natural threats to life on Earth, what it means to live on the surface of a planet that is constantly changing, the history of Geological discoveries, and how our knowledge might help avert future tragedies.

"Earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes are natural phenomena that we have known about since the dawn of time, but our understanding of plate tectonics is something that has only developed recently," said Prof Monro."How it was discovered makes an excellent scientific detective story, but how might the phenomenon affect you?"

Dr Jon Urch, of the Tayside and Fife branch of the British Science Association, said, "We're delighted to be hosting Stuart Monro at this lecture on a fascinating topic in the shadow of The Law, Dundee's own extinct volcano. Everyone is welcome to this free event to hear from Stuart and then ask him their questions."

The lecture is kindly sponsored by the British Geological Survey, and takes place from 7-8pm in the D'Arcy Thompson Lecture Theatre, Tower Building, University of Dundee. Admission is free and non-bookable.

Professor Monro and Dr Diarmad Campbell, Chief Geologist, Scotland and British Geological Survey, will be meeting with senior pupils from Glenalmond College and Monifieth High School prior to the event.

Further information is available by contacting Dr Urch on 01382 386669 or by emailing j.urch@dundee.ac.uk

National Science and Engineering week takes place from 9th-18th March across the UK. Other local events include Fife Science Festival and Dundee's Women in Science Festival. More information can be found at www.britishscienceassociation.org/web/nsew

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