The first 2018 event in the College of Science and Mathematics’ Larsen Science Lecture Series focuses on the effects of corrosive flooding on the Vermont landscape. University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Research Assistant Professor Brian Yellin, Ph.D., will discuss the effects of Tropical Storm Irene and the likelihood of future events. Free and open to the public with refreshments provided at Kreitzberg Library’s Todd Multipurpose Room.

The August 2011 flooding from Tropical Storm Irene caused severe fluvial erosion that left a changed landscape across much of Vermont. Abundant landslides, riverbank collapses, river avulsions (changes in course), and streambed scouring resulted in unprecedented sediment loads at downstream stream flow gauges. By combining water column observations, precipitation records, and sedimentary archives, this talk will place Irene into historical context and show that Irene erosion was a superlative event relative to the historical record. However, given changes in the regional climate, future highly erosive events like Irene have become much more likely.

Oct 20, 2024, 12 PM

Oct 21, 2024, 6 to 8 PM

Oct 24, 2024, 6:30 to 8 PM