Developing effective communication tools for volcanic hazards in New Zealand, using social science

Abstract

Background Social science plays an increasing and valuable role in volcanic Disaster Risk Management (DRM); social science research methods are now used globally to investigate and improve the links amongst volcanology, emergency mangement and community resilience to volcanic hazards. The biennial IAVCEI Cities on Volcanoes Conferences, each hosted by an international city at risk from volcanic hazards, held its eighth meeting in Yogyakarta (Indonesia) in September 2014. These meetings attract large attendances of social and physical scientists as well as emergency managers and DRM practitioners. By incorporating social science methodologies, information derived from volcano monitoring and data interpretation can be used in the most effective way possible to reduce the risk of volcanic hazards to society. A range of New Zealand researchers at universities, and the government earth science research institute GNS Science, have been conducting applied social research focussed around natural hazards for nearly 20 years, spearheaded by studies of the impacts of the 1995/96 eruptions of Ruapehu volcano. In 2006 the national Joint Centre for Disaster Research was established, a joint venture between Massey University School of Psychology and GNS Science. It includes researchers from other universities and agencies and undertakes multi-disciplinary applied teaching and research aimed at gaining a better understanding of the impacts of disasters on communities, improving the way society manages risk, and enhancing community preparedness, response and recovery from the consequences of hazard events. Researchers also focus on the effective communication of likelihoods for volcanic eruption forecasts (Doyle et al., 2014). Three projects are highlighted here as examples of volcanic hazard focussed research within this collaborative national social science framework. Development of a revised Volcanic Alert Level system The communication of scientific information to stakeholders is a critical component of an effective Volcano Early Warning System. Volcanic Alert Level (VAL) systems are used in many countries as a tool to communicate complex volcanic information in a simple form, from which response decisions can be made. Communication tools such as these are required to meet the needs of a wide range of stakeholders, including central government, emergency managers, the aviation industry, media and the public.