HAZARDS IN CASCADIA: PERSPECTIVES FROM A COMMUNITY COLLEGE EDUCATOR ON THE OREGON COAST

Over the recent past, perceptions of geologic hazards associated with Cascadia have slowly evolved. Upon arrival to Oregon’s South Coast in the fall of 1996, I would argue that a majority of individuals in our community of roughly 25,000 had no comprehension of the potential hazard that sits a few miles off our pristine coast. Over the last decade, a greater awareness of potential earthquake and tsunami hazards has developed, but we still are far from the culture of awareness that should exist in a region that is prone to events of this magnitude.

As a community college educator my role is to produce graduates that have a greater understanding of science and potential geologic hazards they may encounter. Additionally, I am a community resource for geological questions, including potential hazards associated with Cascadia. In the classroom, it is important to provide a foundational basis of the science behind hazards and also incorporate local examples. Geology has always been a visual science. The perfect storm of web accessibility with the 2004 Sumatra event has generated a number of video clips that help put the scope of a Cascadia event into visual perspective. Geology field trips allow students to observe submerged forests, faults, liquefaction and the relationships between buildings and the coast. Finally, participation in the initial TOTLE (Teachers on the Leading Edge) program in 2008 provided a number of educational tools and ideas to incorporate into the classroom. The community connection is accomplished through a number of different methods. The Geology Department, working with a number of groups, including emergency responders, has hosted several community workshops addressing Cascadia hazards at the College. These have focused on the science behind Cascadia and preparedness. The geology lecture series has hosted a “Cascadia Anniversary Lecture” on or near January 26^th annually for the past five years. This provides a focus on earthquakes during the anniversary of the 1700 event for additional impact. Additional earthquake-based lectures are scheduled as time permits.