Jack Corliss, a former Oregon State University oceanographer who, in 1977, led a research cruise that discovered undersea hydrothermal vents, will return to campus to talk about the landmark event.

Corliss and others will speak about the remarkable discovery from 11 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. Tuesday in Burt Hall Room 193.

The free talk and public reception will include displays about the discovery and a commemorative casting that will be presented to Corliss, who was chief scientist on a study of the Galapagos Rift that found the first undersea warm springs and associated exotic marine life.

Other OSU oceanographers on the trip included Jack Dymond, Lou Gordon and Robert Collier. The discovery marked a turning point in the understanding of life on Earth and has been described as one of the most important discoveries in oceanography.

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of oceanography at Oregon State.