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My home is on a ridge above the rainforest town of Volcano, Hawaii, with a
splendid view of Mauna Loa's infrequent eruptions and within hearing range
of Kilauea's roaring lava fountains. My consulting services are available
to those needing information about Hawaiian volcanism, and I provide hazards
appraisals, legal testimony, and consulting services for media projects in
Hawaii. |
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"History is the Best Guide to the Future" --- both in the affairs of men
and also in the doings of volcanoes. The most essential ingredient of
volcanic hazards appraisals is thus the understanding the past histories of
active or potentially active volcanoes. Determination of volcanic history
is sometimes easy -- in populated areas like Sicily for example, where
written records of Etna's activity extends back over three millenia.
Unfortunately, few of the Earth's more than 1,500 potentially active
volcanoes have long historical records,, so volcanologists must look for
clues recorded in the prehistoric lava flows and ash deposits from past
eruptions. |
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Over the past 20 years my volcano-teachers have revealed many techniques
for deciphering their past histories. My human clients have little interest
in details of volcano history, however, but do need quantitative information
about the future and how the future could affect their investments or plans.
Provision of such statistical appraisals of future eruption probabilities,
based on evaluations of past activity, is one of my two most important
volcanic hazards "products"; the other is provision of means to reduce
volcanic risk. |
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Decisions to proceed with developments are at times already made or
facilities with vulnerable populations already exist by the time my services
have been requested. In these cases I can recommend means to reduce
volcanic risk, through education, modifications to buildings, or in some
cases by construction of protective structures to protect vital sites from
lava flows or lahars (volcanic mudflows). {thumbnail photo of lava diversion
barriers - 2B provided}. |
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I will not "take sides" in litigation, but by provision of factual
information about geologic hazards and risks as it affects litigant rights, I can assist clients to
defend their points of view. My courtroom Expert Witness testimony experience is extensive, related to personal injury, wrongful death, and property disputes. My technical
background is difficult to challenge in court. |
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I have considerable experience as a technical advisor to media projects in
film, video, and print, and can provide on-camera interviews about
volcanological subjects.
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I am personally available for international consulting
assignments, with extensive consulting experience in Latin America, Africa, and the Circum-Pacific region. For larger projects I have formed specialized teams to address the needs of clients requiring hazards
assessments of properties in remote or less developed areas. |
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