F81E Geological Stories of Disaster, Uncertainty, and the Resilience of Life (Zoom; OLLI @ UofA)
Zoom | Available (Membership Required)
Earth’s history is filled with moments of upheaval, uncertainty, and transformation. In this study group, we will explore four geological stories that reveal how our dynamic planet has shaped climate, civilizations, and even human origins. From sudden global darkness to the near-collapse of ancient societies, from a restless supervolcano to the deep forces that helped create us, each session blends science, history, and discovery to uncover how we know what we know and what remains uncertain. Sessions include: 536 CE: The Worst Year to Be Alive?; The Bronze Age Collapse: When the Ancient World Almost Unraveled; Campi Flegrei: When a Volcano Won’t Decide What It’s Doing; and Apes Born of Plate Tectonics: When Earth Creates Instead of Destroys. Together, these stories reveal not only how geology can disrupt the world around us, but also how life endures - and even emerges - from those same forces. Together, we will explore these stories and gain a deeper appreciation for the dynamic planet we call home.
Nicola Richmond is the Vice Chancellor of Strategy, Analytics and Research at Pima Community College. She oversees strategic planning, institutional and operational effectiveness, federal and state reporting and ad hoc reporting at the institution. She has an extensive data analysis and research background that most recently focuses on higher education, but her experience also includes the analysis of magnetometer data for the moon and Mars, and the application of cellular automata models to coastal environments. She has a Ph.D. in Geology from University College London. Her doctoral research focused on the incorporation of aluminum and iron into deep Earth magnesium silicate minerals using numerical modeling approaches from quantum mechanics and solid state physics. Nic has a strong interest in cross-disciplinary research approaches, taking techniques from the sciences and bringing them to higher education research.
*This registration item is ZOOM-only; there is not an in-person component to this course. It is offered and run by The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at The University of Arizona.*