Crisis Communication after Earthquakes in Greece and Japan: Effects on Seismic Disaster Management

Anna Fokaefs and Kalliopi Sapountzaki
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Anna Fokaefs: Geography Department, Harokopio University of Athens, 17676 Kallithea, Greece
Kalliopi Sapountzaki: Geography Department, Harokopio University of Athens, 17676 Kallithea, Greece

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 16, 1-26

Abstract: The communication of emergency information shortly before or after the manifestation of seismic hazards is a crucial part of disaster management. Crisis communication aims to protect, support and guide the public and emergency services throughout the response and recovery phase. In the case of seismic events, a fundamental query refers to how the information to be released to the public immediately after/before the seismic event affects disaster impacts and management. This paper addresses the uncertainty involved in emergency seismic information, identifies the sources, means, content and mode of emergency communication and points to the effects of different models of crisis communication on public perceptions, on emergency responses and, hence, on disaster management. A review of past experiences of seismic crisis communication strategies in earthquake-prone countries, namely Greece and Japan, reveals successes and failures in managing uncertainty, and in building public trust and improving response capacities. The findings include the importance of crisis communication in seismic disaster management, the levels/layers of uncertainty involved in emergency seismic information and how they impact risk perceptions, the public trust/mistrust effect on scientific and management institutions as well as some recommendations for seismic crisis communication strategies to minimize uncertainty and improve emergency responses.

Keywords: seismic crisis; seismic emergency information and communication; uncertainty; risk perception; governance culture; Greece; Japan; seismic risk management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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