Developer of Earthquake
Magnitude Scale will Address
Kyoto Laureate Symposium
at UC San Diego March 13

February 26, 2008

By Pat JaCoby

Hiroo Kanamori, a geophysicist whose studies on great earthquakes and tsunamis affect populations from San Diego to Southeast Asia, will share his insights during a Kyoto Laureate Symposium to be held at 4 p.m. March 13 in the Price Center at the University of California, San Diego.

A professor emeritus at California Institute of Technology, Kanamori has dedicated his life to studying the rupture process that produces earthquakes and tsunamis with the hope of discovering new ways to protect and preserve human life. His achievements include establishing the academic field of Great Earthquake Seismology, and developing a new earthquake magnitude scale that has been adopted by seismological institutions worldwide. Most notably, his work in “real time” seismology has become the foundation for today’s most successful earthquake and tsunami warming systems.

Kanamori’s topic for the March 13 address is “The Diversity of Earthquakes and Its Implications for Hazard Mitigation.” He will be welcomed by Mark Thiemens, dean of the Division of Physical Sciences, and introduced by UCSD’s Chancellor Marye Anne Fox. Remarks will be offered by Tony Haymet, director of UCSD’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography and vice chancellor of Marine Sciences, and visiting scholar Thomas Heaton, professor of engineering seismology at Cal Tech.

A reception will be held in the Price Center patio following the symposium.

The UC San Diego program is one of three Kyoto Laureate Symposiums also sponsored this year by SDSU and USD, with support from the Inamori Foundation. The symposium in Advanced Technology will be presented by chemist Hiroo Inokuchi at 9:30 a.m. March 13 at San Diego State University. Pina Bausch, Germany’s internationally acclaimed choreographer, will represent Arts and Philosophy with a presentation by dancers from her troupe at 3:30 p.m. March 14 at the University of San Diego.

All events are free and open to the public. Register online at www.kyotoprize.org. For UCSD information call 858 534-6386.

Media Contact: Pat Jacoby , 858 534-7404