The Study on Disaster Risk Communication based on Disaster Awareness Survey at Mount Ontake Area

Abstract

This study focuses on the risk awareness of local people regarding to volcanic risks based on the community survey done on the residents living near Mount Ontake, Japan. Mount Ontake suddenly erupted on September 27, 2014. The eruption occurred on a fine autumn Saturday. Prior to the eruption, the number of tremors increased at Mount Ontake. Meteorological Agency which was monitoring the volcano informed it to local government. However, local government did not provide information to the residents because of the volcanic alert level, the criteria for disaster response, was not upgraded. This study analyzes the risk awareness of residents living close to Mount Ontake, and discusses ways to provide disaster related information to residents.