Vashon Allied Arts will launch a new science series that will begin Sunday with a lecture by a local geologist.

The series builds on the success of VAA’s popular Arts & Humanities Series and Art History Talks. It will explore emerging and broad scientific topics that relate to how we live.

“Rocks Don’t Lie: A Geologist Investigates Noah’s Flood” is the provocative title of this first lecture, given by David Montgomery, a MacArthur Fellow and professor of earth and space sciences at the University of Washington.

Montgomery’s book “Rocks Don’t Lie” examines the world’s flood stories, drawing from historic works by theologians, natural philosophers and scientists. He reveals the role that the Noah’s flood story played in the development of both geology and creationism.

With an explorer’s eye and a new approach to both faith and science, Montgomery journeys across landscapes and cultures to look at the illusive nature of truth, how it has changed throughout history and continues to change even today.

Montgomery will speak at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Blue Heron. Tickets are $14 for VAA members, seniors and students and $18 for general admission and are available at VAA or www.vashonalliedarts.org.

The series will continue with a lecture by crow researcher John Marzluff on May 18 and a talk on gray wolves by Aaron Wirsing on June 8.