Marine Denolle, Assistant Professor, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University

A number of large U.S. metropolitan areas face the threat of earthquakes. Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, and San Francisco—all located near major active faults—are statistically likely to experience major earthquakes in the near future. Seismologists and engineers in these cities are already preparing for “the big ones” (earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 8.0). Now, metropolitan areas such as Dallas and Oklahoma City, although far from plate boundaries, are experiencing moderate, but frequent earthquakes induced by injecting oil and gas wastewater into the ground. Marine Denolle will discuss how scientists are applying new tools to predict and model earthquakes, so that cities can prepare more effective responses to these geological forces.

Free parking is available at the 52 Oxford Street Garage

Free and open to the public