"Worst U.S. Volcanic Disaster in Recorded History"

Mt. St. Helens Eruption 43rd Anniversary: Bringing the 5/18/1980 Event Back to Life.

Geologist Sheila Alfsen will bring this event back to life; detailing its onset and eruption sequence. She will illustrate its volcanic hazards with examples from other volcanoes and compare their relative sizes.

Sheila will discuss the advances in volcanology made as result of the eruption, and how they are used around the world to gain prediction and offer disaster mitigation.

Sheila Alfsen

Geology educator: Linn Benton Community College, Portland State University and Chemeketa Community College.

 Graduate work in Paleontology- University of Oregon, Volcanology, Oceanography.

·   Master of Arts in Teaching, Western Oregon University

·   Bachelors of Arts from Western Oregon University: Geology and Spanish.

·   Oregon resident since 1970- extensively traveled in US, particularly the Western states, Alaska, Arctic region, Iceland, Hawaii, Mexico, Puerto Rico

·   38 years in Education including, experience in interpretation for National Park Service.

Past President GSOC Geologic Society of the Oregon Country, Portland