As dusk settled over Calgary last night, a small gathering formed outside the University of Calgary’s Earth Sciences building. Colleagues of Dr. Marian Chen clutched candles against the evening chill, their faces illuminated in the soft glow as they shared stories of a brilliant geologist whose life was cut tragically short.
Chen, 42, was killed Sunday when a sudden rockslide swept through a popular hiking trail near Bow Glacier Falls in Banff National Park. Three other hikers sustained injuries but were evacuated safely according to Parks Canada officials.
“Marian understood mountains in ways most of us never will,” said Dr. Thomas Herriot, head of the university’s Department of Geoscience, his voice breaking slightly. “The cruel irony that the landscapes she dedicated her life to studying would take her from us is something we’re all struggling to process.”
The rockslide occurred around 2:30 p.m. when a section of unstable terrain above the falls gave way without warning. Witnesses described a “thunderous crack” followed by “car-sized boulders” tumbling down the slope where several hiking groups had gathered to view the glacier.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed that emergency services responded quickly, with helicopter rescue teams arriving within 40 minutes. Despite their efforts, Chen was pronounced dead at the scene.
At her modest Bridgeland home, a growing memorial of flowers and handwritten notes speaks to Chen’s impact beyond academic circles. Neighbours described a community-minded woman who organized neighbourhood cleanup events and taught free geology workshops for local schoolchildren.
“She made rocks interesting to my eight-year-old,” said Sarah Townsend, placing a bouquet beside a framed photo of Chen. “How many people can do that? She saw wonder in everything and made you see it too.”
Born in Vancouver to Taiwanese immigrants, Chen moved to Calgary in 2015 after completing her postdoctoral work at the University of British Columbia. Her research on glacial retreat in the Canadian Rockies earned international recognition, with her most recent paper on climate-related rockslide frequency cited in last year’s Environment Canada climate assessment.
Parks Canada spokesperson Michelle Macullo told reporters that the area had no previous history of major rockslides. “This appears to be an isolated geological event, but we’re conducting a thorough assessment of the surrounding terrain,” Macullo said during Tuesday’s press briefing.
The three injured hikers – a couple from Edmonton and a tourist from Germany – were treated at Banff Mineral Springs Hospital and have since been released. Fellow hiker Jason Woodsworth from Canmore was approximately 200 meters from the slide path.
“One minute everything was normal – people taking photos, enjoying the view. The next minute, chaos,” Woodsworth recalled. “Those of us who weren’t hit immediately started looking for people who might be trapped. The response from everyone on the trail was incredible – strangers working together before the rescue teams even arrived.”
The popular hiking trail remains closed indefinitely while geotechnical experts assess the stability of the remaining rock face. Parks Canada has temporarily restricted access to several other high-risk areas in the park pending safety reviews.
For Chen’s students, the loss extends beyond the classroom. Graduate student Leila Ahmadi described how Chen championed women in earth sciences, creating mentorship programs and securing research grants specifically for underrepresented groups.
“She wasn’t just teaching us about geological processes – she was showing us how to navigate a field that hasn’t always welcomed women or people of colour,” Ahmadi said. “When I told her I was pregnant and worried about finishing my thesis, she rearranged our entire field schedule to accommodate me. That’s who she was.”
Chen’s death marks the third fatality in Banff National Park this year, following an avalanche incident in February and a drowning in Lake Minnewanka in June. Park officials emphasize that while millions visit Canada’s mountain parks safely each year, natural hazards remain an inherent risk in wilderness environments.
The University of Calgary announced plans to establish a memorial scholarship in Chen’s name, focusing on supporting diverse students pursuing geological research. Colleagues noted that such recognition would honor Chen’s twin passions – scientific excellence and creating pathways for others.
“Marian believed science should be accessible to everyone,” said Dr. Herriot. “She often said that understanding our earth wasn’t just an academic pursuit but a way of connecting us all to something larger than ourselves.”
As Canada’s geological community mourns one of its rising stars, Chen’s family has requested privacy. A public memorial service is planned for next week at the university where she taught for eight years.
For those who hiked with her, studied under her guidance, or simply knew her as the friendly neighbour who could identify every rock in their garden, Chen’s legacy remains embedded in the landscapes she loved – enduring like the mountains themselves.
