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Public perceptions of seismic hazards and critical facilities

SOCIOLOGY DEPARTMENT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY, FORT COLLINS, COLORADO 80523

Abstract

Public perceptions of seismic hazards rarely conform to common sense. Public perceptions are even more difficult to second guess when critical facilities are introduced into the equation. The public is typically biased in its perception of seismic hazards probabilities. These perceptions most often characterize a public who do recognize that a generic earthquake risk exists; however, few members of that public personalize that risk and do much about it. This typical inaction on the part of the public underscores the need for state and federal policy and regulations for seismic hazards mitigation. Public perceptions of seismic hazards in reference to critical facilities follow suite with one exception. This exception is controversial critical facilities. On this front, the typical social and psychological factors and processes that form public seismic hazards perceptions are joined by several others. This paper reviews and summarizes the key factors that are the causes of public perceptions of seismic hazards in general, and in reference to noncontroversial and controversial critical facilities in particular. Some of the needs necessary to help a public perceive these hazards more accurately are also presented.