Purdue University geophysicist Andy Freed, a member of the first scientific team on the ground in Haiti after the January 12 earthquake that killed more than 230,000 people, will talk about that earthquake at the Chilmark Public Library on August 18 at 5:30 p.m.

His presentation will explain the tectonics of the region, how the earthquake was anticipated, why so much destruction occurred and why the danger is far from over. He will also talk about his experiences traveling around the country after the earthquake.

Dr. Freed’s research focuses on trying to understand seismic hazards, in particular where the next big events are likely to occur and how big they are likely to be.

He studies earthquakes in California, Alaska, China, the Caribbean and in the Midwest. He and his research group have been working in Haiti for a number of years, successfully forecasting the event that occurred in Haiti last January.

Following this earthquake Dr. Freed spent a month in Haiti making geodetic measurements that help his group to understand how seismic hazards in the region have been altered by this event.

The lecture is sponsored by the Friends of the Chilmark Public Library. Admission is free. For details, call 508-645-3360.