Living with volcanic risk: the consequences of, and response to, intermittent volcanic ashfall from a social infrastructure systems perspective on Montserrat

Abstract

Many parts of the world are at risk from volcanic hazards. Chronic hazards such as volcanic ashfall are wide reaching and may affect large areas for variable periods of time; from a few weeks to many years. Such is the case on Montserrat, where islanders have been living with chronic ashfall hazard since the Soufriere Hills volcano began erupting in 1995. This low impact, frequent event type may be analogous to other hazards such as drought, flooding or even earthquake aftershock sequences. I will discuss the range of consequences observed for living with long term hazards, viewed through the lens of social infrastructure, using an interdisciplinary, exploratory research strategy. A systems-ecology framework is applied to this topic in order develop an holistic methodology for exploring coupled physical-social systems; the physical and social consequences of living with risk, and the process of adaptation to such an environment. This current research seeks to gain new understanding of how societies cope, adapt to risk and develop resilience across physical- social systems in long-term ashfall environments. Preliminary accounts will be presented and indicate apparent adaptations and adjustments to living with risk on Montserrat. I discuss also some responses to living with volcanic risk, and the progress towards the development of community resilience. This research aims to improve our understanding of how adaptation and resilience are developed in an ongoing and long term risk environment, and has applications for improved management and reduction of risk in urban areas