John H. Shaw, Chair of the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harry C. Dudley Professor of Structural and Economic Geology, and Professor of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, will speak on North America’s Shale Gas Resources on Tuesday, March 10 beginning at 6 pm, in a program sponsored by the Harvard Museum of Natural History.

Over the last decade, natural gas extracted from shale rock formations (shale gas) has become an important source of energy in North America. These abundant natural gas resources offer tremendous economic potential and are reshaping the landscape of energy production, including fossil, nuclear, and renewable energy options. Natural gas is also the lowest-emission fossil energy option available today. However, like other energy options, shale gas development has potential adverse impacts on our environment. John Shaw will discuss where and how shale gas resources are found, the geologic processes responsible for their formation, and the economic and environmental impacts associated with their extraction and use. This free public program will be held at the Geological Lecture Hall, 24 Oxford Street.  Free parking is available at the 52 Oxford Street Garage.  For more information visit http://hmnh.harvard.edu/event/north-americas-shale-gas-resources-energy-and-environmental-perspectives.