Public talk on the impact of a volcanic eruption 7,600 years ago

Join the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, Royal Alberta Museum and the Alliance of Natural History Museums of Canada for a public talk on the Days of Dust and Darkness – the impact of volcanic ash fallout on the natural world and the people who depended on it for survival.

Around 7,600 years ago, Mount Mazama, in modern-day Oregon, erupted explosively, spreading a thick blanket of ash across much of northwestern North America. The ash was detected as far away as Greenland and impacted the Dene in the Yukon and Northwest Territories.

The eruption was a major natural disaster, impacting the climate, landscapes, plants, animals and resources. The Mount St. Helens eruption of 1980 helps us understand the effects of the Mazama ashfall. Studying preserved plant remains and reconstructing the event allows us to imagine how people may have dealt with this experience, providing insights into the long-term impact of volcanic ash fallout.

Dr. Alwynne B. Beaudoin, Director of Curatorial and Research at the Royal Alberta Museum in Edmonton and President of the Alliance of Natural History Museums of Canada, will present this public talk.

Date: Sunday, September 22, 2024
Time: 6 to 8 pm
Location: Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre’s Auditorium, Yellowknife

This event is free of charge. No registration is required.

Learn more: www.pwnhc.ca/events