Geology Alive: Understanding Geologic Hazards in the Gorge with Richard (Dick) Iverson, USGS Scientist Emeritus

by | SOP Display

Season 15 of Sense of Place continues with a presentation from Dr. Richard “Dick Iverson, Geologist, Scientist Emeritus.

Hood River, Ore. (Oct. 30, 2024) — Sense of Place continues its 15th anniversary season with Geology Alive: Understanding Geologic Hazards in the Gorge, a presentation with geologist Dr. Richard “Dick” Iverson, Scientist Emeritus at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Cascades Volcano Observatory. This event will take place on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at the Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River, Oregon. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the show begins at 7:00 p.m. The presentation will also be livestreamed for virtual attendees.

In this presentation, Dr. Iverson will dive into the geological forces that shape the scenic beauty of the Columbia River Gorge. He will speak to how earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides and debris flows still occur in the area today and to the scope, severity, and likelihood of these hazards occuring in the future. Dr. Iverson will also explain how scientists use evidence from both the geological past and historical records to assess these risks, and how they forecast future events to help prepare Gorge residents and visitors for potential hazards.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Iverson to discuss the incredible yet potentially hazardous geological processes that shape the Gorge,” said Sarah Fox, host of Sense of Place. “His experience and deep knowledge will provide the audience with a new appreciation of the natural forces at work in this region.“

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.

Event Details:
When:
Wednesday, November 13, 2024. Doors at 6:00 p.m., show from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
(If the event is sold out, unclaimed seats will be released to the waitlist at 6:45 p.m.)
Where: Columbia Center for the Arts, 215 Cascade Ave., Hood River, OR 97031
A livestream option is also available.
Tickets: Available online at https://givebutter.com/geologyalive.
Advanced purchase is encouraged.

About Sense of Place:
Sense of Place is a program of Mt. Adams Institute, a Gorge-based nonprofit that strengthens the connection between people and the natural world through education, service, career development, and research. For more information on the series and Season 15, visit senseofplacegorge.org or follow us on Instagram @senseofplacegorge. Subscribe to the Sense of Place Newsletter for event updates and behind-the-scenes stories.