Future Meetings

March 2, 2026 SCGS Meeting and Lecture

Monday, March 2nd at 6:00 PM

South Coast Geological Society invites you to attend our March 2026 meeting and lecture! Dr. Frank Weirich, Associate Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Iowa, and Associate Research Engineer at IIHR, will present his lecture titled: Geologic and geomorphic factors influencing the nature, occurrence, scale, and impact of post-fire debris flows in Southern California

Speaker: Dr. Frank Weirich

Position: Associate Professor at University of Iowa and Associate Research Engineer at IIHR

Topic: Geologic and Geomorphic Factors Influencing the Nature, Occurrence, Scale, and Impact of Post-Fire Debris Flows in Southern California

When: Monday, March 2nd, 2026 @ Dave & Busters 20 City Blvd W, Orange, CA 92868

Abstract:

Post-fire debris flows are the result of the impact of wildfires on the hydrologic, vegetative, geomorphic and geologic conditions in all or portions of a watershed. As a result, the ability to evaluate the nature, occurrence, scale and impact of post-fire debris flows in Southern California requires the combination of two sets of information. One set of information involves evaluating the changes in vegetation and soil conditions that can occur as a direct result of the wildfire. A second set involves data on the nature of storms that can generate debris flows, basic topographic conditions, underlying geology, sediment supply, and land use changes that might also impact the nature and scale of post-fire debris flows. Using examples from two significant debris flow events, the St. Sophia Debris Flow of 2003, and the more recent Montecito Debris Flows of 2018, the interplay of these factors will be discussed along with the question of recovery rates from the impact of wildfires as related to erosion, runoff and debris flows.

Speaker Information:

Frank Weirich is a faculty member in the School of Earth, Environment, and Sustainability (SEES) and a research engineer in IIHR Hydroscience and Engineering at the University of Iowa. Dr. Weirich received his Ph.D. from the University of Toronto. His thesis focused on the generation of turbidity currents in high altitude glacial lakes. His first position was as a professor at UCLA where he shifted to studying flood and sediment processes resulting from wildfires. He moved from UCLA to Iowa and its hydraulic institute in 1988 but has for over the last 30 years continued his work on hydrologic and geomorphic processes associated with higher energy flood, erosion and debris flows in Southern California. His research has been published in journals such as Science and Nature as well as a range of geologic journals. He has also served as a consultant to government agencies as well as serving as an expert witness in both state and federal courts. His current research is focused on post-wildfire debris flows and related watershed recovery processes using techniques such as ground penetrating radar to evaluate fire-related hydrophobic soil layers and the integration of higher level radar data into debris flow generation and runout modelling.

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Thank you to our individual and corporate sponsors whose generous donations help make these events sustainable! If you or your company would like to become a 2026 corporate sponsor, please contact scgs.mgmt@gmail.com.

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Meeting Information:

Location:

Dave and Busters

20 City Blvd West

Orange, CA

Meeting Cost:

Member: $50

Non-Member: $60

Students: $20

Membership Dues:

As a reminder, annual membership dues expire at the end of each calendar year. 2026 Membership dues can be paid via Eventbrite as a registration add-on: $40

Agenda:

6:00 PM – Check-in and social hour

6:30 PM – Dinner served

7:00 PM – Presentation begins after brief announcements

Registration:

Please register by Friday, Februrary 27th. Walk-ins are accepted, but early registration helps ensure enough food is prepared.