Living in-between: Implications of local risk perceptions for the management of future eruptions at the Calbuco and Osorno volcanoes (Ensenada, Chile)

Abstract

Since the perceptions of communities at risk play a central role in managing future emergencies, contingency plans must consider the appropriate involvement of the perspectives of exposed populations. This article addresses the case of Ensenada (Puerto Varas, Chile), a settlement located in the area of direct influence of the Calbuco and Osorno volcanoes. They respectively rank 2nd and 8th in the list of highest-threat Chilean volcanoes. Here we depict the multiple risk perceptions of the inhabitants of Ensenada and the integration of human perceptions into volcanic emergency management through qualitative research, based on semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis. Our results illustrate that Ensenada represents a settlement critically exposed to multiple hazards from both volcanoes, intertwined with a series of social conditions that influence individuals’ self-perception as vulnerable to future eruptions and, simultaneously, as capable of acquiring conditions to strengthen disaster preparedness. Moreover, the locals are eager to participate in future emergency management planning and adopt preventive attitudes at community, household, and individual levels. Based on these results, we highlight the advantages of a better understanding of the causes of perceived risk and its integration into emergency management strategies for future eruptions, in order to visualise how people make sense of daily life and disaster preparedness in the midst of active volcanoes.

Geological heritage sites assessment in the northern flank of the Calbuco volcano (Southern Andes, Chile)

“…Calbuco volcano represents a serious geological hazard to the population of Ensenada. A recent study conducted by Alegría and Vergara-Pinto (2024) shows that people living in Ensenada are eager to participate in future emergency management planning and adopt preventive attitudes at local, household, and individual levels. The implementation of tailored educative and touristic initiatives can be improved with interactive information about volcanic processes and hazards.…”

Intertwining volcanoes and society in Chile through arts and interdisciplinary connections

“…In regions with active volcanism volcanoes provide a valuable means to explore how humans perceive the planet and the interaction between human existence and the Earth system (Holmberg, 2020). These interactions have been increasingly explored through interdisciplinary work with the aim of developing effective disaster risk reduction strategies, for example, in southern Chile by understanding the geographic imaginaries of community members living near active volcanoes (e.g., Vergara-Pinto and Romero, 2023;Walshe et al, 2023;Alegría and Vergara-Pinto, 2024).…”

“…This is important because low levels of volcanic risk perception are common since volcanic eruptions occur less frequently than other natural hazards (Carlino et al, 2008). In addition, volcanoes are often located in tourist areas, where visitors may lack risk awareness and perception (Bird et al, 2010;Alegría and Vergara-Pinto, 2024), which can be a significant problem in crisis management (De la Cruz-Reyna et al, 2000). Volcanic risk perception can even vary city-wide, depending on whether locals experienced direct consequences of an eruption (Mafuko Nyandwi et al, 2023).…”