OR/15/032 Introduction

Mee K, Duncan M J. 2015. Increasing resilience to natural hazards through crowd-sourcing in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. British Geological Survey Internal Report, OR/15/32.

In this prototype project we aim to demonstrate how volcanic environments exposed to multiple hazards tend to be characterised by a lack of relevant data available both in real time and over the longer term (e.g. months to years). This can be at least partially addressed by actively involving citizens, communities, scientists and other key stakeholders in the collection, analysis and sharing of observations, samples and measurements of changes in the environment. Such co-production of knowledge over time can also build trusting relationships and resilience (Stone et al. 2014). We propose the use of a smartphone application (app), myVolcano, to promote citizen science, combined with real-time analysis of social media, a web-based version and a resource page. In combination, these will capture new data in real time, enable dialogue and provide redundancy.

In volcanic environments, the institution tasked with volcano monitoring has the primary role of working closely with civil protection organisations to keep populations safe by anticipating and forecasting hazardous events (e.g. Aspinall et al. 2002). There are more than 100 such monitoring institutions worldwide (see http://www.wovo.org) and some engage directly with local populations by raising awareness of volcanic and other natural hazards (e.g. earthquakes and tsunami) and discussing hazards and environmental changes that occur (e.g. PHIVOLCS in the Philippines www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph). It was demonstrated in Montserrat, that scientists tended to be well-trusted by both at-risk populations and authorities (e.g. Haynes et al. 2007). The role of monitoring institutions as multidisciplinary scientific and technical centres of excellence embedded in communities is often overlooked.

In St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), an archipelagic state in the Eastern Caribbean, the active volcano (La Soufrière) sits in the north of the main island (St Vincent). SVG is a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) with an estimated population of 109 373 and GDP per capita of US$ 6515 in 2012 (GFDRR, 2014). Thirty percent of the population lives below the national poverty line (GFDRR, 2014). Public external debt relative to GDP ratio was 70% in 2012, which results in St. Vincent having limited capacity to manage fiscal impacts of exogenous shocks (GFDRR, 2014). St Vincent is exposed to a number of hazards including hurricanes, earthquakes, landslides, tsunami and floods, and 97% of the population live within 30 km of the volcano (Loughlin et al., 2015).

In SVG a number of different local, regional and international initiatives exist that are creating data and data products related to anticipating and responding to disasters. Many are research projects but they are rarely sustainable or operational and tend to pursue different agendas without interacting. Consequently, the methodology and proposed implementation of the app emphasises the importance of identifying end-user needs, understanding the context of the country, including its multiple hazard profile, integrating and linking app users to operational resources, official sources of information and advice, and other relevant resources.

The report begins by justifying the appropriateness of a citizen science approach and introducing the myVolcano app and our approach to applying it to different countries. The approach is then applied to St Vincent, identifying opportunities for and challenges to implementing the app. The report concludes with a short discussion of some of the key concerns identified during the study, how these relate to enhancing resilience, along with concrete recommendations for scaling up to other countries.

Why use citizen science in volcanic environments?

Volcanic environments are typically under-monitored, in part owing to the cost of equipment and maintenance (Brown et al. 2015a). Evidence suggests, however, that communities can participate, not only in the monitoring of their volcanic environment, but in discussions that raise awareness, understanding and preparedness, and also support early warning systems (e.g. Stone et al., 2014). Community observers can bridge the gap between scientists and the public, enhance the trust between the public and scientists as well as enhance social capital (Stone, et al., 2014; Stevenson et al. 2013). Previous eruptions have demonstrated the critical role citizens can have in collecting samples of volcanic fallout (Bernard, 2013; Stevenson et al., 2013), but citizens can also participate in observation and monitoring of volcanic environments by providing data and understanding that can be used to reduce community risk, rather than exclusively for the purpose of scientific research (Stone et al., 2014). The public can also help scientists and civil protection understand the evolution and impacts of complex events and provide information that may have immediate value in rescue, recovery and mitigation efforts (e.g. Loughlin et al. 2002). Two-way communication established through scientists’ continuous engagement with volunteers can support the development of citizens’ (volunteers) understanding of and trust in scientists, whilst at the same time enhancing scientists’ understanding of the social, economic and cultural influences on individual decision-making in the face of volcanic risk (Stone et al., 2014).

Due to the dynamic nature of volcanic environments, there are opportunities to engage with citizens on an almost continuous basis (see Appendix 1) to assess flooding, landslides, felt earthquakes and so on. Appendix 2 describes a number of citizen science initiatives employed in volcanic environments around the world. The following section introduces the myVolcano app.