The Ring of Fire

On Sunday, February 25, Senior Curator of Geological Sciences Kathleen Springer will present a lecture, “The Ring of Fire,” at the San Bernardino County Museum at 2:00 p.m. This lecture is free with museum admission.

Springer will discuss the all-encompassing theory in geological sciences–global plate tectonics. She will explore why there is a “Ring of Fire” circling the Pacific Rim and how mountain chains rise up, how the sea floor spreads apart and closes again, and why the earth is a place of earthquakes and violent volcanoes. Special emphasis will be on the enormous Pacific Plate, extending from Japan all the way to our backyard at its very eastern edge, the San Andreas Fault.

“Plate tectonics is not just an esoteric theory for those of us who live in inland Southern California,” said Springer. “It’s part of our everyday lives—from the creation of the San Bernardino Mountains to the little temblors that occur nearly every day. The ‘Ring of Fire’ and its implications to our area will be one of the major themes in our new Hall of Geological Wonders.”

Kathleen Springer is the Senior Curator of Geological Sciences for the San Bernardino County Museum.  She has an extensive background in both geology and paleontology and has been with the SBCM for nearly 19 years leading geologic and paleontologic investigations throughout southern California, Arizona, and Nevada.

The San Bernardino County Museum is at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $6 (adult), $5 (student or senior), and $4 (child aged 5 to 12). Children under five and Museum Association members are admitted free. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcountymuseum.org or call (909) 307-2669.

The San Bernardino County Museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. If assistive listening devices or other auxiliary aids are needed in order to participate in museum exhibits or programs, requests should be made through Museum Visitor Services at least three business days prior to your visit. Visitor Services’ telephone number is (909) 307-2669 ext. 229.