Shannon Point Marine Center Open House

Come see what we are all about! Western Washington University’s Shannon Point Marine Center in Anacortes is hosting a community open house. Learn about the marine science research that takes place at Western through activity booths, interactive displays, and educational demonstrations led by our faculty, students, and staff. Fun for interested learners of all ages! Don't miss our Keynote Speaker from 1-2pm. Dr. Jackie Caplan-Auerbach, WWU Professor of Geology, will present “The Volcano Beneath: Insights Into the Structure and Eruptive Behavior of Hawaiian Volcanoes." This presentation will focus on two ocean-bottom seismology (OBS) surveys performed off of the coast of Hawai`i Island. In 2010-2011 a network of seismometers was deployed on submarine Lo`ihi volcano, the youngest volcano in the Hawaiian chain. A second OBS network was placed on the submarine flank of Kilauea volcano during its devastating 2018 eruption. Data from these two surveys provide insight into lava-water interactions, the growth and evolution of the undersea portion of these volcanoes, and the connection between Lo`ihi and the Hawaiian plume itself. The research cruises also served as a training opportunity for dozens of students and early career scientists interested in marine science and geological oceanography.