Gravity, the fundamental force that shaped our planet, varies across the Earth’s surface, both from place to place and over time. For more than three centuries, scientists have made gravity measurements to define the shape of the Earth. Today, very precise measurements of gravity provide crucial information on the mass distribution and transport within the planet. In this talk, Dr. Le Mével will highlight the long history of the determination of the gravity field, from the first field expeditions to the era of satellite measurements, and will discuss the evolution of the instrumentation. She will then show how gravity studies are used to image magmatic systems under volcanoes and their great potential for investigating magma dynamics leading up to eruptions.
Doors open to the public at 6:00 p.m. with light refreshments.
The campus is located at the intersection of Broad Branch Road and 32nd Street in northwest Washington, DC.Parking is available on campus and accessible via Jocelyn and 32nd Streets. Street parking is permissible. The campus is a short, three-block walk from Connecticut Avenue and two blocks south of Military Road.
Dr. Hélène Le Mével: Staff Scientist, Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, Carnegie Institution for Science