Rise of the Tibetan Plateau

WHO: Paul Tapponnier, visiting professor of geology at the California Institute of Technology, and professor and director of the Tectonics Department at the Institute de Physique du Globe in Paris.

WHAT: Will discuss his theories on the geologic rise of the Tibet Plateau, which covers almost a million square miles and has in large part at elevations above 13,000 feet. The Himalayan Mountains and Tibet were formed by the collision of the Indian and Asian continents 55 million years ago.

Scientists hope study of the plateau's formation will reveal what effects those formational processes have on climate and the environment around the world.

Tapponnier's address is part of the Laboratory's Director's Distinguished Lecturer Series.

WHEN: Friday, June 16, 3:30 p.m.

WHERE: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, B- 123 auditorium.

News media interested in attending should contact Pam Miguel at (925) 422-7655. The U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is managed by the University of California.