Vulnerability to earthquake of Beirut residents (Lebanon): perception, knowledge, and protection strategies

Abstract

Lebanon is characterized by strong but rare earthquakes. Beirut’s important urban density results in a high level of human vulnerability. A questionnaire survey performed on a sample of 176 people allows better understanding of the individual vulnerability of residents facing earthquakes. The survey questions the perceptions and the knowledge about seismic hazards, the behaviors in case of an earthquake, and the protection strategies. The results show a good perception of the seismic threat but dispersed knowledge. The residents know how efficient earthquake-resistant construction is, expect more information but remain skeptical about institutions. Among the variables explaining this, education has a key role, unlike classical factors such as gender, the presence of children, or the lessons drawn from past experience. A synthetic index built from the answers to the questionnaire confirms the role of education.