Aquarium of the Pacific

Aquarium Event

Living in Harm’s Way

Population is increasing in coastal areas. Sea level is rising. Tropical storms may be becoming more intense.

All of these factors conspire to increase the hazards of living on the edge. Engineering can reduce the risks, but not eliminate them. Dr. Robert Dalrymple draws on his experiences in tsunami-damaged Thailand and hurricane-flooded New Orleans to illustrate two coastal hazards and some of the lessons learned from these disasters. Speaking at the Aquarium, Dr. Dalrymple will show some suggested solutions for eroding coastal Louisiana in the face of relative sea level rise and the threats of hurricanes. Dr. Dalrymple is the Willard & Lillian Hackerman Professor of Civil Engineering at Johns Hopkins University where he teaches coastal engineering and is a member of the National Academy of Engineering. Dr. Dalrymple is currently chairing a National Research Council committee that is reviewing the Corps. of Engineers' plans for Louisiana hurricane protection.

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