Vocanologist Wendell A. Duffield to speak at Williams College

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WILLIAMSTOWN – Wendell A. Duffield, formerly of the U.S. Geological Survey and adjunct professor at Northern Arizona University, will present two illustrated lectures on volcanoes at Williams College on Tuesday, Sept. 21. The first talk “Oral Tradition and ‘Prehistoric’ Eruptions: Where Anthropology, Archaeology, Volcanology and Common Sense Intersect” is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. in Clark Hall, room. At 8 p.m. he will speak on “Chasing Volcanoes Near and Far.” This lecture is also scheduled for Clark Hall (the geosciences building) in room 105. Both lectures are sponsored by the Sperry Fund of Geology at Williams and the Five College-University Geology Lecture Series. The lectures are free and open to the public. Duffield, a graduate of Carleton College, received his Ph.D. in geology from Stanford University in 1976. He spent 32 years “chasing volcanoes” around the world as a member of the Volcano Hazards Research Team of the U.S. Geological Survey. After retiring from the Survey, he has taught geology at Northern Arizona University at Flagstaff, consults about geothermal energy, and writes and speaks for a general audience about his experiences as a volcanologist. In addition to his numerous professional articles and maps, he has written a number of popular publications, including “Chasing Lava – A Geologist’s Adventures at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.” For building locations on the Williams campus, please consult the map outside the driveway entrance to the Security Office located in Hopkins Hall on Main Street (Rte. 2), next to the Thompson Memorial Chapel, or call the Office of Public Affairs (413) 597-4279. The map can also be found on the web at www.williams.edu/home/campusmap/
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Lanesborough Fifth-Graders Win Snowplow Name Contest

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — One of the snowplows for Highway District 1 has a new name: "The Blizzard Boss."
 
The name comes from teacher Gina Wagner's fifth-grade class at Lanesborough Elementary School. 
 
The state Department of Transportation announced the winners of the fourth annual "Name A Snowplow" contest on Monday. 
 
The department received entries from public elementary and middle school classrooms across the commonwealth to name the 12 MassDOT snowplows that will be in service during the 2025/2026 winter season. 
 
The purpose of the contest is to celebrate the snow and ice season and to recognize the hard work and dedication shown by public works employees and contractors during winter operations. 
 
"Thank you to all of the students who participated. Your creativity allows us to highlight to all, the importance of the work performed by our workforce," said  interim MassDOT Secretary Phil Eng.  
 
"Our workforce takes pride as they clear snow and ice, keeping our roads safe during adverse weather events for all that need to travel. ?To our contest winners and participants, know that you have added some fun to the serious take of operating plows. ?I'm proud of the skill and dedication from our crews and thank the public of the shared responsibility to slow down, give plows space and put safety first every time there is a winter weather event."
 
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