Abstract:

We propose two years of NEHRP funding to research and develop risk communication strategies for USGS products (specifically ShakeMap) in the Mid-America region of the ANSS. Determining how scientific information and its associated uncertainty is used by multiple audiences to make decisions in response to the earthquake threat can be complex and motivates this research. As access to information is streamlined and becomes more immediate, traditional avenues of interpretation are decreasingly available. Rather the information itself must be presented in a way to enable immediate and proper interpretation and use. Risk communication is a well-developed area of research within the hazards community and we will avail ourselves of this body of knowledge and tools to methodically research and determine strategies that will most effectively bring added value to USGS products such as ShakeMap. While similar issues exist in the western U.S. we will focus on the ANSS Mid-America region as a proxy for eastern North America. The needs, experiences, and situation in the central and eastern United States impact the way products will be accessed, interpreted, and ultimately valued. This proposed work will create a baseline of perception, information needs, and interpretive skills data that can inform subsequent risk communication efforts. We will rely heavily on existing organizations such as CUSEC and its affiliates and the Mid-America Earthquake Center. We will also target organizations in urban areas where ANSS instrumentation exists (Memphis, St Louis, Evansville, Charleston, and Knoxville/Chattanooga) and hence where ShakeMap is most likely to be implemented within the foreseeable future.

The study audiences may be categorized as:

1. Emergency Management Officials
2. Engineers, Seismologists, and State Geologists
3. Public Information Officers and Media
4. General Public

Specific steps in conducting research include:

1. Research and develop survey instrument
2. Test and revise instrument
3. Data collection and processing
4. Analysis and interpretation
5. Results review in focus groups
6. Analysis and integration of review
7. Recommendations for risk communication strategies
8. Dissemination of results and recommendations

View our Poster Presentation:

We anticipate that these results will be applied specifically to ShakeMap and will also have an impact on products throughout the NEHRP program such as Hazards Maps, recent earthquakes, post-significant earthquake posters, Did You Feel It?, program web pages, and other hazards products.