2017 Hadyn Williams Fellowship Public Lecture

Why leprechauns know how mountains form

presented by

Professor Brendan Murphy

Following his well attended career development workshop for early career researchers, Professor Brendan Murphy continued to entertain and enlighten during a public lecture held at Curtin University’s Bentley campus. The description of his lecture follows;

“Planet Earth is unique in the Solar System. It not only sustains a remarkable diversity of life forms, but also offers scenes of stunning beauty, from majestic mountains and luxuriant tropical islands to the stark splendor of desert landscapes.

The Earth has evolved over 4.6 billion years from its tumultuous and hostile beginnings to the fertile life-sustaining planet that we live on today. This evolution has happened because the Earth’s rocky outer layers have interacted with water, air and life, as well as its deep interior over billions of years.

There is an urgent and practical reason why we need to understand this evolution. If we are to practice responsible management of our planet, it is crucial that we distinguish between the kinds of global change induced by human activity and those that are part of natural cycles.

The study of the record of Earth’s evolution offers a unique and clear perspective. The study of Earth’s evolution and mountains shows its own natural rhythms, many of which profoundly influence phenomena as all-embracing as the motion and growth of continents, and the birth and destruction of oceans.”

Prof. Murphy examined how mountains form in response to how terrestrial factors affected the evolution of the Earth, including its climate, life and endowment of natural resources. An enjoyable time was had by all and we look forward to seeing what he will present at next years Haydn Williams Fellowship Public Lecture.

About the Fellowship

The Haydn Williams Fellowship is offered to an academic of outstanding international reputation and broad academic interest. The appointment aims to build Curtin University’s engagement with the global academic community as well developing links between the University, industry and the community.