September 9, 2005

Purdue atmospheric scientist will give talk on hurricanes

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue atmospheric scientist Matthew Huber will give a public talk titled, "Katrina: What Do We Really Know about Hurricanes?" at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday (Sept. 13) in Stewart Center 218 A-D.

Huber's lecture, designed for the general public and university community, will provide an overview of scientific understanding of hurricanes. There is no cost to attend.

Prior to the talk at 3 p.m., Huber and Jeffrey S. Vitter, dean of the College of Science, will be available to answer questions.

"In the wake of hurricane Katrina, which devastated much of the Gulf Coast two weeks ago, there is great interest in understanding how hurricanes work," said Huber, an assistant professor of earth and atmospheric sciences in Purdue's College of Science. "My talk will cover what makes them develop, why they change directions, and what controls how intense they are.

"It will also address key areas of uncertainty, such as: Was the catastrophe in New Orleans predictable ahead of time, and was it preventable? Are hurricanes becoming more intense?"

Donations will be collected at the end of the talk to aid in hurricane-relief efforts. 

CONTACT: Huber, (765) 494-9531, huberm@purdue.edu

Writer: Chad Boutin, (765) 494-2081, cboutin@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

To the News Service home page