If rivers could talk, Phil Larson would be the translator.
Understanding the sedimentary deposits of rivers as markers for understanding natural and human processes that shape our planet continues as a career focus for Larson, the latest Minnesota State Mankato professor to present the annual faculty lecture.
Larson will present the prestigious 48th annual Douglas R. Moore Faculty Research Lecture on Monday, March 21 at 7 p.m. The presentation in Ostrander Auditorium is free and open to the public.
The annual Douglas R. Moore lecture celebrates excellence in research at Minnesota State Mankato.
Larson, the director of the Earth Sciences Program at Minnesota State Mankato and co-founder of the University’s EARTH Systems Laboratory, will address “How Rivers are Born and Evolve: A Paradigm Shift in Earth Science” at this year’s event.
The lecture will also be live-streamed at: https://youtu.be/DyFJDHT574Q
“The research I will discuss focuses on our current understanding of the birth and evolution of rivers and their valleys, with particular focus on major rivers of the southwest United States – critical water resources to rapidly growing population centers like Phoenix, Arizona,” Larson said.
He added that his focused field of study as a scientist and teacher seeks to understand and share the natural world and our place in it.
“Understanding these processes today and comparing to the past is crucial to understand how humanity is impacted by and influences the behavior of these natural systems” Larson said about his focused field of study as a scientist and teacher. “Thus, my work commonly dovetails with research threads in climate change, land-use, and natural hazards. Ultimately, it boils down to a passion for understanding the natural world and our place in it. That passion leads me to want to educate and share my exciting about our planet.”
NOTE: Masks are NOT currently required on campus. Any changes to the in-person event because of COVID-19 restrictions will be announced in a phone recording on the day of the event. Please call 507-389-1242 for the latest information.
For more information about the lecture, please contact Julie Joerg by phone at 507-389-1242 or by email at julie.joerg@mnsu.edu.
The annual Douglas R. Moore lecture is named after Moore, who established the event.
Moore was president of then-Mankato State University from 1974 to 1978. His tenure saw the transformation of Mankato State College into a university, as well as the consolidation of the lower and upper campuses and the construction of a new administration building.
Minnesota State Mankato, a comprehensive university with 14,546 students, is part of the Minnesota State system, which includes 30 colleges and seven universities.
