Public Communication and Education of Knowledge and Information about Volcanoes and Their Risk in Japan : Present Status

Abstract

A critical review was made on public communication/education of knowledge and information about volcanoes and their risk in Japan. Volcanic process can socially be divided into four periods: dormant, pre-emergency, emergency, and restoration/rehabilitation periods. For better mitigation of disasters during all these periods, knowledge and information about volcanoes should enough be shared among volcanologists, officials, and residents around volcanoes. Psychologists well studied the methodology of decision-making and public communication under various risks and many of the results can be applied to volcanic risk. Many volcanologists, however, do not well know the achievements by psychologists. Several Japanese volcanological terms, which have been traditionally used in the public information/education, are ambiguous and have potential for misunderstanding. Journalists often distort the information from volcanologists. The internet may provide a better place for direct risk-communication between volcanologists and residents around volcanoes. Volcanologists should systematically survey the residents and know what method of public communication is the best for sharing risk infomation. The author summarizes the present status of the Japanese system for risk evaluation and announcement during volcanic crises and reviews the problems, which were exposed during the recent volcanic crises in Japan. The author also reviews the status of risk education using hazard maps and/or other methods, which include outreach programs for citizens and schoolchildren.