Geotourism and Disaster Storytelling: Lessons from 2013 Izu-Oshima Island Debris Flow Disaster

Abstract

This report supports geotourism as an effective method of disaster storytelling, based on the lessons learned during and after the 2013 Izu-Oshima Island Debris Flow Disaster. Geotourism can provide a geological explanation to visitors as to why the disaster occurred in Izu-Oshima island, while also allowing a vital opportunity to help local people impacted by the disaster make sense of their catastrophic experiences. By doing so, individuals involved in geotourism can share a reverence and respect for the living Earth, which enables us to move forward even after experiencing a catastrophic disaster. This function is very similar to what Disaster Storytelling has.