Oregon's Greatest Natural Disasters

SLIDE SHOW PRESENTATION

by William L. Sullivan

Oregon's Greatest Natural Disasters

This lecture explores the floods, earthquakes, forest fires, eruptions, and tsunamis that have hit Oregon during the past 13,000 years of human settlement. Although these disasters occur at irregular intervals, Sullivan shows that they are in fact part of natural cycles. It is not possible to predict these catastrophic events precisely, but we can prepare for their impact. With the increasing influence of global warming, Sullivan notes that it is especially important to understand the underlying cycles and the impact that we are having on the planet. Released in April, 2008, is a companion book with the same name.

Sullivan is the author of a dozen books about Oregon, including "Hiking Oregon's History, the popular “100 Hikes” series, and “Oregon Trips & Trails.” His journal of a 1000-mile hike he took across Oregon in 1985, “Listening for Coyote,” was chosen by the Oregon Cultural Heritage Commission as one of Oregon’s “100 Books,” the 100 most significant books in the state’s history. He has also written a memoir and two novels.

William L. Sullivan writing at his log cabin.