Resident stakeholder perceptions of lava flow hazard diversion strategies and protective measures for infrastructure and commercial and private property on Kīlauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes, Hawai‘i

Authors' Affiliations

Ashleigh Reeves- East Tennessee State University, Department of Geosciences, Johnson City, TN, USA Chris E. Gregg- East Tennessee State University, Department of Geosciences, Johnson City, TN, USA Michael K. Lindell- University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Timothy A. Joyner- East Tennessee State University, Department of Geosciences, Johnson City, TN, USA Bruce F. Houghton-Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA (1) East Tennessee State University, Department of Geosciences, Johnson City, TN, USA (2) University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA (3) U.S. Geological Survey, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Hawai‘i National Park, Volcano, HI, USA (4) Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA

Location

BAYS MTN. ROOM 125

Start Date

4-4-2018 9:20 AM

End Date

4-4-2018 9:35 AM

Name of Project's Faculty Sponsor

Christopher E. Gregg

Faculty Sponsor's Department

Geosciences

Classification of First Author

Graduate Student-Master’s

Type

Oral Presentation

Project's Category

Natural Sciences

Abstract or Artist's Statement

Decisions to interfere with the natural path of lava are constrained by geological, engineering and logistical factors; and legal, environmental and socio-cultural considerations. Lava flows erupted from several volcanoes around the world have threatened people and their property, motivating them to take actions to prevent or slow its advance by diverting the flow direction using channels, berms and explosives or obstructing the lava by quenching with water or armoring. Property to be protected has included government, public, commercial and private property ranging from cities and harbors to personal property.

The earliest known attempt to influence the path of lava occurred in 1669 on Mount Etna, Italy, but more recent experience there occurred in the 1980s-90s. Several eruptions at Kīlauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes in Hawai‘i also provided abundant experience (1881, 1935, 1942, 1955, 1960 and several times during the on-going 1983- present eruption of Kīlauea). Additional experience relates to experimental tests and an untested berm on Mauna Loa. Most recently though, local businessmen on Kīlauea constructed earthen berms to protect their property and the local utility authority constructed novel protective structures around electric utility poles.

Decisions to use mitigation strategies may be based on expert scientific opinion, but public opposition has been reported to alone be able to prevent lava mitigation. In 2014, public opinions about the use of traditional mitigation strategies (diversion by berms or bombing) to protect commercial and residential areas of Puna were mixed among residents, but there appeared to be no opposition to a new mitigation strategy that protected key areas of the electrical infrastructure and supply of electricity. To help understand public opinion about this and various mitigation strategies and people’s acceptance of additional risk to personal property to help protect important elements of their community, we conductied questionnaire surveys among residents on Kīlauea and Mauna Loa as part of a multi-university NSF Hazards SEES project. We evaluated crisis experience, hazard zonation, and community bondedness, in addition to socio-demographic and cultural factors, with beliefs concerning mitigation, including effectiveness of mitigation strategies for lava flows and others hazards; financial and legal considerations; and requirements for specialized knowledge, skills and cooperation.

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Apr 4th, 9:20 AM Apr 4th, 9:35 AM

Resident stakeholder perceptions of lava flow hazard diversion strategies and protective measures for infrastructure and commercial and private property on Kīlauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes, Hawai‘i

BAYS MTN. ROOM 125

Decisions to interfere with the natural path of lava are constrained by geological, engineering and logistical factors; and legal, environmental and socio-cultural considerations. Lava flows erupted from several volcanoes around the world have threatened people and their property, motivating them to take actions to prevent or slow its advance by diverting the flow direction using channels, berms and explosives or obstructing the lava by quenching with water or armoring. Property to be protected has included government, public, commercial and private property ranging from cities and harbors to personal property.

The earliest known attempt to influence the path of lava occurred in 1669 on Mount Etna, Italy, but more recent experience there occurred in the 1980s-90s. Several eruptions at Kīlauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes in Hawai‘i also provided abundant experience (1881, 1935, 1942, 1955, 1960 and several times during the on-going 1983- present eruption of Kīlauea). Additional experience relates to experimental tests and an untested berm on Mauna Loa. Most recently though, local businessmen on Kīlauea constructed earthen berms to protect their property and the local utility authority constructed novel protective structures around electric utility poles.

Decisions to use mitigation strategies may be based on expert scientific opinion, but public opposition has been reported to alone be able to prevent lava mitigation. In 2014, public opinions about the use of traditional mitigation strategies (diversion by berms or bombing) to protect commercial and residential areas of Puna were mixed among residents, but there appeared to be no opposition to a new mitigation strategy that protected key areas of the electrical infrastructure and supply of electricity. To help understand public opinion about this and various mitigation strategies and people’s acceptance of additional risk to personal property to help protect important elements of their community, we conductied questionnaire surveys among residents on Kīlauea and Mauna Loa as part of a multi-university NSF Hazards SEES project. We evaluated crisis experience, hazard zonation, and community bondedness, in addition to socio-demographic and cultural factors, with beliefs concerning mitigation, including effectiveness of mitigation strategies for lava flows and others hazards; financial and legal considerations; and requirements for specialized knowledge, skills and cooperation.