Dr. Richard A. Lutz Director of the Center for Deep-Sea Ecology & Biotechnology, Rutgers University Thursday, 3 October 2002 7:00 pm Performing Arts Center Auditorium Monmouth Regional High School (click here for directions) 1 Norman J Field Way Tinton Falls, NJ Refreshments and informal discussion will follow the lecture Free and Open to the Public
The first examples of unique life forms not dependent on solar energy were discovered by scientists using towed cameras and submersibles in 1977 along hydrothermal vents of the Galapagos Rift. Since then, investigators have made hundreds of dives to learn more about these unusual ecological communities. In April 1991 an underwater volcanic eruption along the East Pacific Rise obliterated a thriving vent community. With the help of breathtaking video footage and numerous photographic images, this talk will describe the spectacular and remarkable return of life to these vents following this catastrophic event.
Richard A. Lutz is Director of the Center for Deep-Sea Ecology and Biotechnology at Rutgers University. He is one of the foremost authorities in the world on the ecology of deep-sea hydrothermal vents. Dr. Lutz received his Ph.D. in oceanography from the University of Maine and in 1979 joined the faculty of Rutgers, where he is currently a professor and Associate Director of the Institute of Marine & Coastal Sciences. Since his first research dive in 1979, he has spent hundreds of hours in a variety of submersibles exploring hydrothermal vents throughout the world's oceans. His work has been featured in numerous publications, including Science, Nature, National Geographic, and American Scientist. Dr. Lutz is currently working to create an IMAX film on this topic.
The Norman J Field Lectures in Science were established in 1991 in memory of Dr. Norman J Field, and are cosponsored by the Monmouth County Section of the American Chemical Society, the Monmouth Junior Science Symposium, the Friends of the Monmouth County Library Association, the Monmouth County School Boards Association, and by the Rutgers University Chapter of Sigma Xi, an international scientific research society. Dr. Field was widely recognized for his contributions in the area of public education. He maintained a lifelong personal and professional interest in scientific issues. It is hoped that this lecture series will serve to promote similar interest in science and science education among both younger and older members of the community.
For additional information please contact: Ken Field fieldk@att.net