Michael Bunds, assistant professor of earth science at Utah Valley State College and Ron Harris, associate professor of geology at Brigham Young University will explain the recent Asian tsunami in a public forum on Jan. 20, at 6 p.m. in UVSC Liberal Arts Building LA101.

"Everyone should understand the tsunami was not a freak occurrence," said Daniel Horns, chair of the UVSC Earth Science Department. "It resulted from ongoing natural processes well understood by geologists. Much of the devastation was largely due to a lack of education and preparation."

The lecture will cover: geological processes that produced large earthquakes in Southeast Asia, effects on the Earth during the earthquake, how the earthquake generated a tsunami, the effects of the tsunami and possible ways to mitigate future tsunamis. A question and answer session will follow the speakers.

Michael Bunds received a Ph.D. in geology from the University of Utah. Bunds is an expert on earthquake processes. His research focuses on faulting in the Earth's crust.

Ron Harris received a Ph.D. in tectonics from the University of London. Harris is an expert on the geology of Indonesia and focuses research on mountain building processes.