Communication and education strategies to raise awareness and understanding of volcanic hazard during times of quiescence: a literature review
- 1University of Oregon (Eugene, United States of America)
Abstract
This scoping review examines peer-reviewed research on volcanic hazard communication during periods of quiescence, when immediate crisis pressures are absent but opportunities for long-term preparedness are substantial. While much existing work focuses on communication during eruptions or in specific regions, we examine how volcanic hazards are communicated when a volcano is quiet, a time suited for building awareness, understanding, and sustained public engagement. We reviewed relevant studies and grouped 76 resulting articles into three categories: formal educational materials, informal communication approaches, and informal communication tools. Within the reviewed literature, common themes include clear and accessible language, participatory strategies, and trust built through two-way communication. These themes align with broader science and risk communication research, which emphasizes that effective communication requires more than the delivery of accurate scientific information. Rather, communication during quiescence should be locally relevant, responsive to audience needs, and connected to preparedness actions, while also building familiarity with long-term risk, scientific uncertainty, preparedness actions, and trusted information sources. Few reviewed studies evaluate communication effectiveness, and existing research is geographically uneven, highlighting important gaps in volcano-communication research. This review adds to the literature about how volcanic hazard communication during quiescent periods can support hazard awareness and understanding, and it also highlights the need for more evaluated, participatory, and context-specific strategies that help scientists, educators, communicators, and decision-makers strengthen preparedness before unrest or eruption occurs.
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BibTeX
@article{hufstetler2026communication,
title = {{Communication and education strategies to raise awareness and understanding of volcanic hazard during times of quiescence: a literature review}},
author = {Rebeckah S. Hufstetler and Hollie Smith and Emilie E. E. Hooft and Laura Gattis},
journal = {Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.5194/nhess-26-5361-2026},
url = {https://nhess.copernicus.org/articles/26/5361/2026/},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Communication and education strategies to raise awareness and understanding of volcanic hazard during times of quiescence: a literature review
AU - Rebeckah S. Hufstetler
AU - Hollie Smith
AU - Emilie E. E. Hooft
AU - Laura Gattis
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/29
JO - Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences
DO - 10.5194/nhess-26-5361-2026
UR - https://nhess.copernicus.org/articles/26/5361/2026/
AB - This scoping review examines peer-reviewed research on volcanic hazard communication during periods of quiescence, when immediate crisis pressures are absent but opportunities for long-term preparedness are substantial. While much existing work focuses on communication during eruptions or in specific regions, we examine how volcanic hazards are communicated when a volcano is quiet, a time suited for building awareness, understanding, and sustained public engagement. We reviewed relevant studies and grouped 76 resulting articles into three categories: formal educational materials, informal communication approaches, and informal communication tools. Within the reviewed literature, common themes include clear and accessible language, participatory strategies, and trust built through two-way communication. These themes align with broader science and risk communication research, which emphasizes that effective communication requires more than the delivery of accurate scientific information. Rather, communication during quiescence should be locally relevant, responsive to audience needs, and connected to preparedness actions, while also building familiarity with long-term risk, scientific uncertainty, preparedness actions, and trusted information sources. Few reviewed studies evaluate communication effectiveness, and existing research is geographically uneven, highlighting important gaps in volcano-communication research. This review adds to the literature about how volcanic hazard communication during quiescent periods can support hazard awareness and understanding, and it also highlights the need for more evaluated, participatory, and context-specific strategies that help scientists, educators, communicators, and decision-makers strengthen preparedness before unrest or eruption occurs.
SN - 1684-9981
ER -