
Sarah Eggert in front of the 2014 Pahoa lava flow during research trip to Big Island
Summer Travel Grant 2016 Recipient
Sarah Eggert
EWC Student Affiliate
My EWCA Summer Research Grant provided me an opportunity to be involved in a National Science Foundation-funded research project into volcanic hazard awareness and risk communication on the Big Island of Hawai’i. One task of the research (a household survey of preparedness for a volcanic eruptions) was postponed, but fortunately, the task involving stakeholder interviews continued. During the third week of June, 2016, my colleague from East Tennessee State University and I arranged interviews with key stakeholders involved in volcanic hazards and response on the island of Hawai’i. From the moment I arrived in Hilo, we got to work. We were able to arrange interviews with representatives from utilities, the Fire Department, National Park Service, the National Guard, the planning department, Civil Defense, and USGS. These interviews were in addition to others that had taken place the previous week. We also canvassed the business district of Pahoa, gathering contact information of business owners affected by the 2014 Kilauea lava flow.
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