Caltech Professor Shifts Lecture Focus to Debris Flow Risks Following Eaton Fire Crisis

In response to the Eaton Fire and other blazes that have burned throughout the Greater Los Angeles region in recent weeks, Caltech Professor of Geology Michael Lamb pivoted from his earlier Earnest C. Watson Lecture topic to different and timely subject: debris flows.

Lamb’s January 29, 2025, in-person presentation at Beckman Auditorium will examine the science behind post-wildfire debris flows that threaten communities bordering steep, burned hills.

“Earth’s landscapes are dynamic, but change slowly over geologic time often with little notice from people,” Lamb says. “But after wildfires in Southern California, floods can deliver a century’s worth of erosion in a single event.”

The lecture, titled “The Science of Post-Wildfire Debris Flows,” will explore why these dangerous torrents of water, mud, and rocks frequently follow wildfires in a phenomenon known as the fire-flood cycle—a cascade of disasters that has plagued California for more than a century. Lamb, who studies the shape and evolution of Earth’s surface as a geomorphologist, brings extensive expertise in studying erosion mechanics and sediment transport both on Earth and other planets.

The evening begins at 6 p.m. with activities and music outside Beckman Auditorium, where food, drinks, and books will be available for purchase. Members of Lamb’s research group will be present to answer questions about their work. Doors open at 7 p.m., with the talk and Q&A running from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., followed by post-talk coffee and tea as well as the chance to converse with attendees and researchers.

On campus, Lamb runs the Caltech Earth Surface Dynamics Laboratory, where researchers investigate water and sediment flow in a controlled environment. His research credentials include membership on several Mars rover mission science teams and a PhD in earth and planetary science from UC Berkeley, earned before joining the Caltech faculty in 2009.

For more than 100 years, the Watson Lectures have brought the wonder of Caltech research and discovery to the public. The series offers a unique and accessible opportunity to learn about cutting-edge science directly from Caltech’s premier researchers. Interactive displays related to the evening’s topic will give audience members additional context and information.

While the lecture is free and open to the public, online registration is required. A recording will be made available on Caltech’s YouTube channel, where many past Watson Lectures can also be viewed.

For more information, contact The Caltech Ticket Office at events@caltech.edu.