Floods, earthquakes, forest fires, eruptions, tsunamis—they’ve all hit Oregon during the past 13,000 years of human settlement. The question isn’t if they will happen again, but when? Although it’s not possible to predict these catastrophic events precisely, how could we prepare for their impact? Our own Cascade Range is built by volcanoes that have erupted at varying times over many millennia—some with devastating consequences.

Friday, September 13, 2013 • 2:00 p.m.
Sunriver Library

Saturday, September 14, 2013 • 12:00 p.m.
Redmond Library

Author William Sullivan will explore Oregon’s greatest natural disasters during two programs as part of Deschutes Public Library’s “Know Ends” month of programming. Both events are free and open to the public.

“Although these disasters occur at irregular intervals, they are in fact part of natural cycles,” says Sullivan. “With the increasing influence of global warming, it’s especially important to understand the underlying cycles and the impact that we are having on the planet.”

Sullivan has written four novels and a dozen nonfiction books about the Northwest as well as numerous articles about Oregon. A fifth-generation Oregonian, Sullivan began hiking at the age of five and has been exploring new trails ever since. After studying at Deep Springs College in the California desert, receiving an English degree from Cornell University, and studying linguistics at Germany's Heidelberg University, he earned an M.A. in German literature from the University of Oregon.`

For more information about this or other library programs, please visit the library website at www.deschuteslibrary.org. People with disabilities needing accommodations (alternative formats, seating or auxiliary aides) should contact Tina at 541-312-1034.