Open Science in Seismology: The Role of Citizen Science in the Transition from Seismic Observatory to Science Museum

Abstract

Catastrophic events, including worldwide pandemics and natural disasters, may lead to ambivalent attitudes toward science among the public. On the one hand, there may be pessimistic feelings toward the limitations of scientific knowledge and technology. On the other hand, there may be optimistic prospects for science-based solutions to the problems caused by these catastrophes. Science communication plays an integral part in shaping societal attitudes toward science. The aim of this research was to build more fruitful relationships between science and society by improving science communication in the field of seismology. Based on the concept of open science, we conducted action research at a seismic observatory as it transitioned from a science facility to a science museum. The museum adopted a citizen-science approach to communicating the science of seismology. In this approach, citizens not only learned about seismology from scientists, but they worked collaboratively with scientists to do science. The results of our research showed that citizen science can play a critical role in making science more accessible and communicating the science of seismology to society.