Community Perception and Communication of Volcanic Risk from the Cotopaxi Volcano in Latacunga, Ecuador

Juan Camilo Gomez-Zapata, Cristhian Parrado, Theresa Frimberger, Fernando Barragán-Ochoa, Fabio Brill, Kerstin Büche, Michael Krautblatter, Michael Langbein, Massimiliano Pittore, Hugo Rosero-Velásquez, Elisabeth Schoepfer, Harald Spahn and Camilo Zapata-Tapia
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Juan Camilo Gomez-Zapata: Seismic Hazard and Risk Dynamics, Helmholtz Centre Potsdam GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
Cristhian Parrado: Grupo FARO, Quito 170518, Ecuador
Theresa Frimberger: Landslide Research Group, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany
Fernando Barragán-Ochoa: Asociación de Profesionales de Gestión de Riesgos de Ecuador, Quito 170519, Ecuador
Fabio Brill: Hydrology, Helmholtz Centre Potsdam GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
Kerstin Büche: Geomer GmbH, 69126 Heidelberg, Germany
Michael Krautblatter: Landslide Research Group, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany
Michael Langbein: German Remote Sensing Data Center (DFD), German Aerospace Center (DLR), 82234 Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany
Massimiliano Pittore: Seismic Hazard and Risk Dynamics, Helmholtz Centre Potsdam GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
Hugo Rosero-Velásquez: Engineering Risk Analysis Group, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany
Elisabeth Schoepfer: German Remote Sensing Data Center (DFD), German Aerospace Center (DLR), 82234 Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany
Harald Spahn: Independent Consultant, 26689 Apen, Germany
Camilo Zapata-Tapia: College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito 170901, Ecuador

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 4, 1-26

Abstract: The inhabitants of Latacunga living in the surrounding of the Cotopaxi volcano (Ecuador) are exposed to several hazards and related disasters. After the last 2015 volcanic eruption, it became evident once again how important it is for the exposed population to understand their own social, physical, and systemic vulnerability. Effective risk communication is essential before the occurrence of a volcanic crisis. This study integrates quantitative risk and semi-quantitative social risk perceptions, aiming for risk-informed communities. We present the use of the RIESGOS demonstrator for interactive exploration and visualisation of risk scenarios. The development of this demonstrator through an iterative process with the local experts and potential end-users increases both the quality of the technical tool as well as its practical applicability. Moreover, the community risk perception in a focused area was investigated through online and field surveys. Geo-located interviews are used to map the social perception of volcanic risk factors. Scenario-based outcomes from quantitative risk assessment obtained by the RIESGOS demonstrator are compared with the semi-quantitative risk perceptions. We have found that further efforts are required to provide the exposed communities with a better understanding of the concepts of hazard scenario and intensity.

Keywords: risk communication; volcanic hazards; social risk perception; resilience; demonstrator; scenario; multi-risk analysis (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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