Contrasting memories and imaginaries of Lonquimay volcano, Chile

Abstract

Lonquimay is ranked as the 12th most dangerous volcano in Chile. Several settlements are located within 20 km with a diverse mix of residents and livelihoods. Conservation areas and a growing tourist economy sit alongside Indigenous groups and farming. These residents have varied ways of knowing volcanoes and volcanic landscapes; this knowledge is generated through lived experience, memories, and collectively held imaginaries.This paper presents data collected from semi-structured interviews with community members living near Lonquimay volcano, primarily from two settlements: Malalcahuello and Lonquimay. The data was collected in two periods: shortly before and immediately after Lonquimay volcano's technical alert level was raised to yellow in March 2022. This was the first time its status had been raised to yellow since monitoring began in 2010.The results demonstrate a diversity of beliefs about and knowledges of Lonquimay, particularly between the two settlements, but also shared imaginaries and relationships with the volcano that are integrated within other elements of daily life and livelihoods. This complex set of perspectives and memory of the previous eruption (the erupción del cono Navidad starting December 25th, 1988) will likely have an effect on responses to future volcanic activity, including expectations of hazards that may shape reactions to early warnings, and the likelihood of evacuation. Thus, this case-study shows the importance of investigating geographical imaginaries and their constituent memories and knowledges. Such imaginaries influence the ways people know risk and understanding these has the potential to aid effective disaster risk reduction in the future.