Yellowstone Supervolcano and Other Geological Features Discussed by Scientist-In-Charge

Contact: Mike Horyczun For Immediate Release Director of Public Relations July 17, 2009 (203) 413-6735

“Yellowstone Days” at the Bruce Museum Wednesday-Friday, August 5-7, 2009 Bruce Museum, 1 Museum Drive, Greenwich, CT

Dr. Jacob B. Lowenstern, Scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Lectures on Friday, August 7, 2009

The Bruce Museum in Greenwich, Connecticut, hosts three days of exploration and experimentation focusing on Yellowstone National Park from Wednesday, August 5, through Friday, August 7, 2009, presented in conjunction with the launch of the Museum’s annual Science Lecture Series and co-sponsored by the Yellowstone Park Foundation. On Wednesday, August 5, 2009, at 10:30 a.m., “Yellowstone Days” at the Bruce Museum begins with children’s workshops and a short film. Children ages 6 to11 can learn about “Old Faithful and the Geysers of Yellowstone National Park.” Students will be briefed on the dynamic forces of the volcanic activity at Yellowstone National Park and then create replicas of Old Faithful eruptions. On Thursday, August 6, at 10:30 a.m., children ages 3-5 and their parents/guardians are invited to a story hour and workshop about “Animals of Yellowstone.” Participants will visit a special installation of animal mounts inside the Museum, hear about and explore the animals that live in Yellowstone National Park, and then create animal masks of their favorite animal. All materials are included for both workshops. The fee for each workshop is $5 for Museum members, non-members $7 per child. Reservations are strongly suggested; call the Museum at (203) 2

869-0376. At other times, visitors of all ages can enjoy a 23-minute video presentation on the geysers of Yellowstone, which will run continuously in the Museum’s Education Workshop. - more -

On Friday, August 7, 2009, at 7:30 p.m., the Museum presents Dr. Jacob B. Lowenstern, who will present “Volcanic Hazards and Current Geological Activity at the Yellowstone Caldera.” Admission to the lecture is free to Museum members and students with identification. The cost to non-members is $5 at the door. Reservations are recommended. Call (203) 869-0376, ext.420, beginning July 24. Dr. Jacob B. Lowenstern will review the volcanic history of the Yellowstone Plateau, providing context on the eruptions and geothermal activity that make our oldest national park so unique. In addition, he will explore geological activity over the past few decades, including swarms of earthquakes, hydrothermal explosions, and ground deformation. And he will provide some thoughts on the potential for future volcanic activity at Yellowstone and beyond. Dr. Lowenstern is a research geologist for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and serves as the Scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Earth Science from Dartmouth College, and master’s and doctoral degrees from Stanford University. He had a postdoctoral fellowship in Japan and an earlier Fulbright Fellowship at the University of Catania in Italy. Dr. Lowenstern has published extensively on Yellowstone as well as on other volcanic systems and associated processes. In 2000 he received the Lindgren Award from the Society of Economic Geologists for research that represents an outstanding contribution to economic geology by a young scientist. The Yellowstone Park Foundation is a co-sponsor of the Museum’s lecture and family activities on Yellowstone natural history. The Yellowstone Park Foundation is the Bozeman, Montana-based official fundraising partner of Yellowstone National Park. It works in cooperation with the National Park Service to fund projects and programs that protect, preserve, and enhance the natural and cultural resources and the visitor experience of Yellowstone. Learn more at http://www.ypf.org This is the first of a three-part Science Lecture Series which continues on Sunday, December 6, 2009, at 3 p.m. with Prof. James D. Webster of the American Museum of Natural History presenting Why Volcanoes Explode. On Sunday, March 7, 2010, at 3 p.m., the series concludes with Prof. Katherine V. Cashman of the University of Oregon discussing A Tale of Two Eruptions: Mount St. Helens 1980-1986 and 2004-2008. The lectures are also supported by the Marjorie Sims Lawrence Memorial Fund and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Elser.

The Bruce Museum is located at 1 Museum Drive in Greenwich, Connecticut. Museum hours are: Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and closed Mondays and major holidays. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and students, and free for children under five. Bruce Museum members are free. The Museum is located near Interstate-95, Exit 3, and a short walk from the Greenwich, CT, train station. The Bruce Museum is accessible to individuals with disabilities. For 3 information, call the Bruce Museum at (203) 869-0376, or visit the Bruce Museum website at www.brucemuseum.org. * * * * *