Educated Youngsters’ Risk Perception and Seismic Preparedness – Lessons for Crisis Communication in the Case of Earthquake-prone Greece

Abstract

Responding effectively to a destructive seismic event remains an important challenge and preparedness is considered a key element. Risk perception has been well documented to predict the willingness to adopt and carry out preparedness measures. This research focuses on seismic risk perception, in particular if and how it motivates protection behaviors and preparedness actions of youngsters and especially students of the Universities in Greece. The communication preferences of this population group during a seismic crisis as well as the level of the students’ trust towards competent authorities are also investigated. An online survey has been conducted targeting the students of the Universities in Greece using social media and email communication channels/ 601 answers have been collected. The results show that (a) although participants have good knowledge on protective measures during a seismic crisis, preparedness protective actions have been undertaken by only a small portion; (b) the dominant factors motivating preparedness responses are personal psychology factors, level of worry and previous experience of a strong seismic event; (c) women are featured by higher risk perception which however does not translate into undertaking more preparedness actions (d) participants are by priority concerned with forest fires, they are less and  equally worried about heat waves, earthquakes, and pandemics; (e) participants put their trust more in scientists and emergency operators (than in Governmental authorities –central and local) for guiding information during a seismic crisis, and (f) internet sources (social media and news websites) are the most popular means for receiving and sending information, (g) there is evident tendency to focus on reacting and responding rather than preventing against earthquakes and earthquake disasters.