The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

It doesn't take much scientific knowledge to cast our eyes to the horizon and realize that we live in a geologic region of volcanos. Many of us recall the attention grabbed by South Sister not too many years ago when a bulge developed on the west slope, and small earthquakes kept geologists busy monitoring its activity.

The volcanic landscapes of Central Oregon have been shaped by tectonic forces that are active on a global scale. In Central Oregon, these forces interact to create a geologically diverse region of snow-covered volcanic peaks, landscapes created by faults, and some of the largest volcanic eruptions on Earth.

Dr. Daniele McKay, geologist and senior instructor in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Oregon, visits Sisters on Tuesday, April 23, at 7 p.m. for a presentation titled "Geology of Central Oregon: New Insights on the Tectonic Forces Shaping Oregon's Landscapes." She will explore recent geologic research that has changed our understanding of this place we call home.

Dr. McKay lives in Bend and teaches online geology courses throughout the academic year and field courses in Central Oregon during the summer. Her research background is in physical volcanology, focusing on recent mafic eruptions in the Central Oregon Cascades. She is also interested in how societies prepare for and respond to natural disasters, especially volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. She has worked with Deschutes County, Oregon Office of Emergency Management, Oregon Partnership for Disaster Resilience, and Red Cross on natural hazard preparedness and mitigation in Central Oregon.

This Frontiers in Science event, sponsored by the Sisters Science Club at The Belfry, is the final lecture of the 2024 spring series; lectures will resume next fall. Social hour begins at 6 p.m. with light fare, beer, and wine available for purchase. Admission is $5 at the door; teachers and students are admitted free. The Belfry is located at 302 E. Main Ave., Sisters.

For information about Sisters Science Club, email [email protected].