The Beaty Water Research Centre and the Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering Seminar Series are excited to host the 2024 Darcy Lecture, delivered by Dr. Matthew Becker, on Tuesday, April 23rd at 2:30 pm in Miller Hall Room 201. This promises to be a very exciting talk:

How Groundwater Impacts the People and Ecosystems of the South Pacific Islands

The Pacific Ocean is host to more than 30,000 islands, the vast majority of which are small, remote, and vulnerable to climate variability. Groundwater plays an important role in the resilience of these isolated environments. We will see how groundwater was a critical resource for the first settlers of Rapa Nui (Easter Island), how it helps coral reefs flourish in a nutrient desert (Darwin’s Paradox), and the role it plays in terrestrial flora and fauna. Understanding of these interactions is hindered by the complexity of groundwater flow in coastal and offshore environments. Our recent investigations of the distribution of groundwater flow to fringing coral reefs sheds some light on these processes. Climate change and sea level rise will disrupt and potentially overwhelm these unique and biologically critical ecosystems. An improved understanding of hydrogeologic systems and their interactions with marine life surrounding Pacific islands will be essential for strategic adaptation to environmental stresses.

We hope to see you there!