How volcano eruptions, climate change, and the deadliest historic pandemics are all connected

Michael Wysession, professor of geophysics in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences

Professor Wysession presents a talk as part of the Blue Skies & Beyond Hot Topics in STEM Discussion Series hosted by the Institute for School Partnership.

Many of the deadliest pandemics in human history, including plague, flu, and cholera, were triggered by rapid changes to the global climate system, and many of these were triggered by the eruptions of large volcanoes. In his presentation, Wysession will discuss historical examples of deadly pandemics and look ahead to the potential health implications of the current rapid changes in global climate.

Wysession is an expert on Earth’s inner structure. He has mapped various sections of Earth and is the first geologist to map Earth’s code-mantle boundary, some 2,000 miles below our feet.

The discussion series is free and open to all middle and high school science and engineering teachers, PLTW teachers, and others who are just STEM curious!

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