Why all the earthquakes? WWU geology professor to tackle that at luncheon Oct. 15

Why all the earthquakes? Living with earthquakes in Haiti, Chile and Pacific Northwest is the topic for a talk by the Western Washington University Geology Department's Jackie Caplan-Auerbach at the WWU Retirement Association's fall luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 15, at Northwest Hall. The hall is behind Northwide Restaurant at 3240 Northwest Ave. The cost to attend the event is $15 for WWURA members/spouses and $18 for guests.

Caplan-Auerbach, an associate professor of geophysics, will discuss the causes and effects of earthquakes and why the Haiti earthquakes was 500 times smaller than the Chile event yet resulted in 500 times more fatalities. Because the Pacific Northwest is one of the few regions in the world capable of generating a magnitude-9 earthquake, it is important that we understand our local seismic hazard and how we can live safely in earthquake territory.

Send reservations with check payable to WWURA by Oct. 8 to Janet Berg, 1029 16th St., Bellingham 98225. For more information, call (360) 733-4654.