Harvey Henson, Jr. - Outreach & Community Service Activities

Community service is an important part of the SIUC mission. Mr. Henson is active in the southern Illinois community in a variety of ways. Part of his responsibilities include earthquake outreach and tours of the Department of Geology located in Parkinson Lab. Hundreds of visitors are accommodated each academic year; many of these are high school students. Tours and discussions often include explanations of rock, mineral, and fossil exhibits on display at Parkinson Lab, demonstrations of various research facilities, such as the Earthquake Observatory and River Flume, hands-on demonstrations and experiments, and interactive computer demonstrations. Small and large groups frequent the department each year, ranging in age from kindergartners through senior citizens. Contact Mr. Henson at the Department of Geology by e-mail to arrange a visit or presentation for your group: henson@geo.siu.edu.

A significant part of Harvey's community service involves requests for science project assistance, or general earthquake information (100 or more inquiries each year). Several telephone, radio, newspaper and television interviews dealing with earthquakes and the New Madrid Seismic Zone are conducted each year. Presentations and lectures related to earthquakes and geology are often requested. Some recent outreach presentations are listed below.

Earthquake Information

If you are interested in earthquake information, go to our Earthquake Information website for earthquake awareness and preparedness. On our earthquake webpages you can link to online (near real-time) SIUC recordings of earthquakes from the New Madrid seismic zone and from around the world.

Basics in Geology (B.I.G.)

B.I.G. is an informal earth science education program for students in local junior and senior high schools. This unique mentoring program began in the fall of 1995 as an experimental extension to the normal outreach efforts of the Department of Geology on the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale campus. The B.I.G. program was developed by Harvey Henson a geophysicist with the Department of Geology.

Earthquake and Earth Science Presentations (partial list)
Remote Sensing at Camp Ground Church Cemetery. Genealogy Society of Southern Illinois Spring Conference, JALC, Carterville, IL, June 9, 2007

Locating the Lost Strahan Cemetery Using Geophysical and Geological Imaging Methods. Marion Lions Club meeting, Marion, IL, July 12, 2006

"Suddenly... On an Avergage Day" DVD Project. Multi-Natural Hazards Partnership Forum, Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO, May 17, 2006

Earthquake Preparedness: "Suddenly... On an Avergage Day". Foxcroft Ward Emergency Preparedness Fair, Marion, IL, April 8, 2006

New Madrid Fault Zone and Earthquake Overview. Unity Point School, Carbondale, IL, April 6, 2006

Illinois Emergency Management Agency. Earthquake Preparedness DVD, Keith E. Chambers, IEMA Earthquake Coordinator, Springfield, IL, Mar 7, 2006

Earthquakes in Southern Illinois. 4-H, Scottsboro Baptist Church, Marion, IL, Mar 3, 2006

Earthquake Awareness and Preparedness: "Suddenly... On an Avergage Day" DVD. Psychology 489 course, SIUC, Carbondale, IL, Feb 16, 2006

Regional Disaster Preparedness and Response: Earthquake Threat in Southern Illinois. hosted by Illinois State Representative John Bradley and Williamson County Emergency Management Agency, Southern Illinois Emergency Preparedness Committee, Marion, IL, 2006

New Madrid Earthquake Interview, NPR Weekend Edition with Scott Simon. (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5047579), Dec 10, 2005

Uncovering the Anasazi Culture of Southwestern Colorado Using High-resolution Geophysical Investigations. Southern Illinois Earth Science Club, Benton, IL, July 14, 2005

Geophysical Methods and Remote Sensing Techniques Used in Archaeological Investigations: Examples from Pueblo Sites in Colorado and the Trail of Tears in Illinois. Southeast Missouri State University, Department of Anthropology, Dr. Carol Morrow, Cape Girardeau, MO, Feb. 24, 2005

New Madrid Earthquakes. Neely Hall Student Dormitory, SIU-C campus, Carbondale, IL, April 22, 2002

Geo-Archaeology Investigation of Anasazi Ruins in Colorado. Presented at Carbondale Lions Club meeting, Carbondale, IL, March 13, 2002

The New Madrid Seismic Zone. Presented at Carterville Lions Club meeting, Carterville, IL, Oct. 11, 2001

Earthquake Awareness and Preparedness: Understanding the New Madrid Earthquake Threat. Mae Smith Hall Student Dormitory, SIU-C campus, Carbondale, IL, Sept. 21, 2000

Earthquakes and Tectonics of the North Anatolian Fault Zone. Presented at the SIU-C Turkish Student Association Annual Banquet, Carbondale, IL, Oct. 28, 1999

Geologic History of Ferne Clyffe (with Nature Hike). Presented to area scout groups at Goreville, IL, Aug. 15, 1999

Southern Illinois Before the Age of the Dinosaurs. Presented at Johnston City Public Library, Johnston City, IL, July 15, 1999 

Earthquake Mechanics and the New Madrid Seismic Zone. Presented at Randolph County Historical Society Annual Banquet, Steeleville, IL, Mar. 18, 1999

Earthquakes in Southern Illinois. Presented at Recycled Youth Meeting, Herrin First Christian Church, Herrin, IL, Oct. 10, 1998

New Madrid Earthquakes and Plate Tectonics. Symposium presented at Hugh Malin Campus, Pickneyville Jr. High School, Pickneyville, IL, Dec. 3, 1996

Plate Tectonics and Earthquakes: Our dynamic world. Symposium presented at Hugh Malin Campus, Pickneyville Jr. High School, Pickneyville, IL, Nov. 17, 1995

Earthquakes: The New Madrid Seismic Zone. SIUC Student Development Program Fund-raiser for Earthquake Relief Student Center Auditorium, SIUC, Carbondale, IL, Feb. 6, 1995

The New Madrid Seismic Zone and Local Earthquakes. Presented at Carbondale Lions Club meeting, Carbondale, IL, May, 1994

New Madrid Seismic Zone Earthquakes. Presented at Du Quoin Kiwanis Club meeting and banquet, Du Quoin, IL, May 6, 1993

Why Do Earthquakes Occur in Southern Illinois? Science and Literacy Program at Elverado High School, Elkville, IL, Feb. 2, 1991

Earthquakes and New Madrid Seismicity. Earthquake Preparedness Conference, Rend Lake Community College, Ina, IL, Nov. 8, 1990

Earthquake Awareness and Preparedness. Boomer Hall Student Dormitory, SIU-C campus, Carbondale, IL, Oct. 16, 1990

The Mechanics of Earthquakes and Seismicity in the New Madrid Rift Complex. Earthquake Preparedness for Emergency Services Personnel at Southeastern Illinois College, Harrisburg, IL, April 5, 1990

Earthquake Awareness and Preparedness. Health and Emergency Fair, The Gazette Democrat, Anna, IL, Sept. 13, 1990

Seismicity of the Southern Illinois Area. Parish Park Christian Church, Marion, IL June 1990


Comments and questions: henson@geo.siu.edu
Department of Geology e-mail: geology@geo.siu.edu
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