Volcanic Super-Eruptions and their Impact on Society and Environment Lecture on Volcanic Super Eruptions

Extremely large and explosive volcanic eruptions have occurred throughout geologic time. New Mexico had a volcanic super-eruption in the geologically recent past – we call it the Valles Caldera. What were the effects of that eruption, when is the next eruption expected, and what would be the effects of a new eruption? Professor Self is one of the world’s experts on large lava flows, explosive volcanic eruptions, and the impact of large-scale volcanic eruptions on the environment and society. He has studied volcanic rocks worldwide and published extensively on their relevance to our past, present, and future Earth history.

Dr. Self retired in 2017 from his position as Senior Geologist/Volcanologist with the US-Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Previously, he was Chair of Volcanology (The Open University in England), Professor of Geology (Univ. of Hawai’i-Mānoa), NASA Research Fellow (Dartmouth College), and Asst. Prof. (Arizona State Univ.). Steve is currently Adjunct Professor, Earth & Planetary Science Dept., Univ. of California – Berkeley. He is a Life Member and former Vice-President of the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior (IAVCEI), and a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union, the Geological Society of America, and the Geological Society (London). He received his Ph.D. from Imperial College, London.

This lecture is in support of the project to modernize and update the Museum’s Volcano exhibit and proceeds will be used to help fund that effort. 

For tickets visit nmnaturalhistory.org Cost: $8 ($7 members), $5 students. Tickets will be available at the door on the evening of the event.