World-recognized expert in oceangraphic subjects, Dr. Bruce Parker will present the 20th Zeien lecture on May 5th in the Henry Auditorium at Webb Institute.
Dr. Parker is a visiting professor at the Center of Maritime Systems, Stevens Institute of Technology, and the former Chief Scientist for the National Ocean Service at NOAA. He holds a PhD in Physical Oceanography from the Johns Hopkins University, an MS in Physical Oceanography from MIT, and a BS/BA in Biology/Physics from Brown University.
The lecture is based on Dr. Parker ’s book: The Power of the Sea – tsunamis, storm surges, rogue waves and our quest to predict disasters . It interweaves compelling stories of marine disasters with fascinating stories of how scientists very slowly learned how to predict them. From ancient mankind’s strange ideas about the sea to our latest technological advances using satellites and computer models, the talk describes our growing knowledge of the ocean and its impact on our lives. From the tides (which are very predictable) to deadly storm surges (which we can now predict accurately) to huge rogue waves (which we are on the verge being able to predict) to tsunamis (which are still unpredictable), the talk depicts the drama of the sea and the dedication of scientists throughout the centuries.
