Sheila Alfsen – Mt. St. Helens May 18,1980 Eruption – Lwr. Columbia Chapter

The 1980 Eruption of Mt. St. Helens in Washington was the worst volcanic disaster in recorded US history. Geologist Sheila Alfsen, will bring the event back to life; detailing its onset and eruption sequence. She will illustrate its volcanic hazards with examples from other volcanoes and comparing 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.

Thursday, May 15, 2025, In Person 7:00 PM (PDT) at Tualatin Heritage Center, 8700 SW Sweek Drive, Tualatin, OR 97062
ALSO Live ZOOM from THC, Click for Zoom meeting, Meeting ID: 869 4651 3479 Passcode: 322382.

Sheila Alfsen’s Background:
*Current Instructor of Geology: Portland State University, Chemeketa Community College, Linn Benton Community College
*Researcher
*FEMA Earthquake Publication Reviewer

*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
* Thirty-five years in Education: Experience in interpretation for National Park Service