Los Angeles is devastated by the January 2025 fires. As we enter the rainy season, the threat for debris flows is high in the steep, burned hills that border many communities. Debris flows are fast-moving torrents of water, mud, and rocks that are dangerous to life and property. Known as the fire-flood cycle, this cascade of disasters has plagued California communities for more than a century. In this talk, Michael Lamb, professor of geology, discusses his team's latest research on debris flows, why they often occur after fires, and what can be done to forecast their impact.
For more information on debris flow hazards please see the California Watershed Emergency Response Teams (WERTs) report online at https://www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/bwg/recent . The Eaton Fire report is expected soon.
For more information about Professor Lamb's research, visit: https://lamb.caltech.edu
About the Series:
Since 1922, The Earnest C. Watson Lecture Series has brought Caltech's most innovative scientific research to the public. The series is named for Earnest C. Watson, a professor of physics at Caltech from 1919 until 1959. Spotlighting a small selection of the pioneering research Caltech's faculty is currently conducting, the Watson Lectures are geared toward a general audience, as part of the Institute's ongoing commitment to benefiting the local community through education and outreach.
For more information on the Watson Lecture Series: https://caltech.edu/watson
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