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Toward a Multi-Stakeholder Socio-Seismological Observation Network for Seismic Risk Reduction in Haiti

Description: 

Over the past 50 years, earthquakes cost US$ 800 billions – mostly developed countries – and 1.3 million human lives – mostly in developing countries. While these figures show no sign of inflection, risk awareness continues to apply the classic approach where knowledge owned by scientists is translated “downward” to the public and decision-makers. Could a reverse, “bottom-up” approach where citizens collect and share information on earthquakes, be an alternate model? Here we report on the initial stage of the “OSMOSE” project that aims at testing, through a participatory seismology experiment in Haiti – a country struck by two destructive M7+ earthquakes in 2010 and 2021 – whether disseminating knowledge while placing citizens or communities at the heart of scientific information production and usage can improve earthquake awareness and promote protection initiatives. OSMOSE uses low-cost, plug-and-play, Raspberry Shake seismological stations which are hosted by volunteer citizens (15 currently operating in Haiti, https://ayiti.unice.fr/ayiti-seismes/) and relies on a collaborative interdisciplinary effort involving seismologists, geographers, sociologists, anthropologists, and educators. We will report on the first seismological outcomes of the project as well as on preliminary lessons learned on interactions between citizen hosts and scientists and what it may tell us on the very notion of "citizen" in today's society in Haiti.

OSMOSE is operated by J.P. Ampuero, P. Attie, J. Balestra, J.L. Berenguer, E. Bertrand, Q. Bletery, D. Boisson, R. Bossu, E. Calais, N. Calixte, J. Celestin, J. Cheze, V. Clouard, A. Corbet, M. Corradini, F. Courboulex, B. de Lepinay, B. Delouis, A. Deschamps, G. Etienne, L. Fallou, Y. Font, K. Guerrier, L. Hurbon, R. Momplaisir, T. Monfret, S. Paul, F. Peix, B. Pierre, C. Prepetit, E. Rathon, S. Symithe, J.M. Theodat, S. Ulysse.

Partner institutions (France and Haiti): Geoazur, LAM, PRODIG, EMSC, BME, UEH/FDS, UEH/FASH Catts Pressoir, ESIH.

OSMOSE is funded by the French National Research Agency, CNRS, and IRD.

Session: Active Faults in the Caribbean and Central America [Poster]

Type: Poster

Date: 4/20/2023

Presentation Time: 08:00 AM (local time)

Presenting Author: Eric Calais on behalf of the OSMOSE consortium

Student Presenter: No

Invited Presentation: 

Authors