WWU's Caplan-Auerbach to discuss earthquakes at Feb. 18 WWURA luncheon

WWU geology associate professor Jackie Caplan-Auerbach is guest speaker for the Western Washington University Retirement Association's spring luncheon Feb. 18 at Northwood Hall. Social hour begins at 11:30.

Caplan-Auerbach talk, "Why All the Earthquakes," describes where earthquakes occur and how local geology affects a region's response to ground shaking. She will discuss why the Haiti earthquake 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 quake, it is important to understand local seismic hazards and how to live safely in earthquake territory.

Reservations: $15 WWURA members; $18 guests. Send to: Margaret Loudon, 2611 Mill Ave., Bellingham 98225. Info: (360) 733-6052.