VANCOUVER, Wash. – Living and working in the shadow of Mount St. Helens, residents of Southwest Washington understand the risks of living in a seismic zone – from volcanic eruptions to earthquakes and tsunamis.

On Thursday, Nov. 4, Clark College geology professor Dr. Charlene Montierth will launch the college’s 2010-2011 Faculty Speaker Series with a presentation on geologic risks in the region, why we face these hazards and what we can do to mitigate them.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is titled “Volcanoes and Earthquakes and Tsunamis, Oh My:  Living on a (Tectonic) Edge.”  It will be held from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. in Foster Auditorium on Clark's main campus. 

Clark College is located at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver. Driving directions and parking maps are available at www.clark.edu/maps.

Dr. Montierth said, “We live in a fantastic place to not only learn about but actually experience the power of geologic processes.  However, that power is capable of great destruction and one of the best ways to reduce that potential is to understand how, why and when we experience these events. I love helping people see their physical world in new ways and with greater understanding.”

About Dr. Charlene Montierth

Dr. Charlene Montierth joined the faculty of Clark College in fall 1996. She holds a bachelor’s degree in geology from the University of California, Los Angeles. In 2001, she earned a Ph.D. in geology from the University of Oregon, where she did research on Hawaiian volcanoes.

Dr. Montierth is the head of the geology department at Clark College. She teaches Geology 101 and 102 courses, as well as a course in which she leads students on weeks-long trips through the western United States. In 2003, she received the college’s Exceptional Faculty Award for her energy and commitment to student success.

Dr. Montierth often shares her expertise as a guest speaker with local elementary, middle, and high school classes as well as well as other community organizations. She has also led geology field trips for local educators through the Columbia Springs Environmental Education Center.

She has served as a member on a variety of college committees and was co-chair for the college accreditation self-study completed in 2008. She currently serves as a member of Clark’s College Council.

About the Clark College Faculty Speaker Series

The Faculty Speaker Series, established by Clark College with support from the Clark College Foundation, honors individual faculty members and celebrates academic excellence.  

The Faculty Speaker Series showcases experiences that have enriched both the life and teaching of a Clark faculty member.  Throughout the series, faculty members share their developmental experiences with the college community – and members of the community at large – while addressing some of today’s most intriguing issues.  

Past Faculty Speaker Series discussions have focused on rich and diverse topics including the Fulbright international teaching experience and sustainable food choices as well as timely discussions of issues relating to health, science, writing and art.                                                       

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