Social Implications of Volcano Hazard Case Studies in the Washington Cascades and Hawaii. Volume I: Mount Baker and Hawaii. Volume II: Mount Rainier

摘要

This study investigates responses of the population to increased volcanic activity at Mt. Baker, to a predicted eruption at Mauna Loa, and to a scenario study of a major mudflow from Mt. Rainier on the Puyallup River Valley. Focus is on presenting the social implications of volcanic hazards, including physical impacts on areas affected by management decisions to safeguard the public, and perceptual and behavioral impacts to warnings of volcanic events. Volume I includes studies of Mt. Baker and Hawaii. Whereas the probability of volcanic activity is high with a low risk to life in Hawaii, the probability of a serious Cascade volcano is low but the threat to life and property (especially down-valley in case of a mudflow) is potentially great. The Hawaiian study revealed misperceptions of the hazard potential and variations in attitudes toward and knowledge of volcano threat which reflected the ethnicity, residential location, sex, and length of residence of the populace. Volume II presents the Mt. Rainier study. A hypothetical design event was constructed to evaluate the impact of a major eruption and the resulting mudflow on essential public service delivery systems in the Puyallup Valley. Possible coping strategies are presented.