A NEW APPROACH IN EARTHQUAKE RISK RELATED PRESENTATIONS FOR PUBLIC AUDIENCES

Fear or apathy about catastrophic events, like earthquakes and tsunamis, often originates from a feeling of lack of personal control and a perceived inability to prevent the threat. How does one engage an audience with a call to action when discussing an uncontrollable event?

Connecting through an individual’s values, beliefs and priorities is a first step. Tailoring the message to the audience while incorporating an understanding of local concerns is also important if one is to achieve an active response to the message. In discussing earthquake and tsunami hazards and risks in the Pacific Northwest in a public forum, no single approach can accomplish this goal, as different groups demand a more or less detailed understanding of the risks. Certain ideas, however, can be successfully integrated into a discussion that resonates with almost any public audience.

Personal stories and the incorporation of myths and historical narratives from around the world that describe the experience of living through or preparing for an earthquake seem to reach almost any audience. When the scientific research being presented is also couched as a “detective story”, and a little humor is thrown in, most audiences will drop that initial defensive posture and become engaged.

A final presentation element must be considered when discussing a complex topic like earthquake and tsunami hazards with a public audience – the audio/visual presentation itself. Because of the sophisticated media images everyone is saturated with on a daily basis, no longer are simple PowerPoint style presentations a credible way to motivate an audience. Much more sophisticated presentation tools are called for and are available with capabilities that will engage, involve and amuse an audience.

Changing ingrained beliefs and perceptions about earthquake hazards and risks will always be a challenge, and public presentations are but one part of what should be an all encompassing and integrated outreach and education strategy. But with new technologies and a message that engages and empowers audience members at public presentations, a new culture of awareness can begin to take shape in the Pacific Northwest.