2021 George Seddon Memorial Lecture

Earthquake Landscapes of Western Australia

The 2021 George Seddon Memorial Lecture by Professor Myra Keep, UWA School of Earth Sciences

Most of us know of the processes of geomorphology that shape our natural surfaces. Weathering and erosion from rivers, precipitation, wind and even ice play a key role in crafting the landscapes we see around us. Less well known are the effects of earthquakes on landscapes, over thousands to billions of years. Western Australia has a rich history of earthquake events, including at the present time, and the effects of these temblors, over a 2 billion year time span, form the basis of landscapes all over WA. From the Swan Coastal Plain to the Stirling Ranges, Gascoyne and Pilbara, the underlying control of earthquake structures can be seen all around us, and continue deep into our offshore areas. This presentation explores the interaction of seismicity and landscape in WA, from early in our geological evolution, to the present day.

Myra Keep is a Professor of Structural Geology and Tectonics at the University of WA. A former winner of the Premier’s Science Prize (Science Ambassador of the year) 2013-14, her research involves examining fault evidence of earthquake activity, both onshore and offshore, and how very old geological structures affect present day events, including resources.

Emeritus Professor George Seddon AM

George Seddon (1927-2007) was an Emeritus Professor of Environmental Science at the University of Melbourne and a Senior Honorary Research Fellow in English at The University of Western Australia. He was a Fellow of the Royal Australian Planning Institute, the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences, and the Australian Academy of Humanities. His books include Swan River Landscapes, A Landscape for Learning and Sense of Place. He was awarded the Eureka Prize from the Australian Museum in 1995, the Mawson Medal from the Academy of Science in 1996 and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Planning Institute of Australia. This annual memorial lecture honours his life and work.

A note for attendees at our event:

For the wellbeing of our community, we ask that attendees at our events please follow WA Health Recommendations. Please stay at home if you are feeling unwell. To find out more about current health measures for Western Australia, please read the latest Western Australian Government guidelines.