Social media and seismology: Education and prevention regarding seismic hazards

Abstract

Venezuela is a country of high seismicity where geological processes are part of the daily life of Venezuelans; however, formal education programs and mass media have not yet implemented an appropriate way to educate the population on these issues, so myths and confusions persist. Since 1972, the Venezuelan Foundation for Seismological Research has been studying the seismic activity of the country. With the growing influence of social networks in the dissemination of information, Funvisis with the intention of maintaining innovation and technological advances and the growing evolution of the wave of social networks has taken advantage of this trend to report felt earthquakes and publish educational information related to seismology. Encouraging the awakening of an awareness of geological hazards in those areas of increased seismic activity and the importance of feedback from users of Funvisis social networks and the potential growth of the same, will allow us the opportunity to disseminate knowledge and prevention of seismic activities. Funvisis presents as an opportunity the dissemination through the use of social networks to bring geosciences to a popular audience and to motivate the population to interact in reporting their observations of felt earthquakes and thus provide intensity data. Undoubtedly, this new approach in education can improve the understanding of geological processes and positively impact the perception of natural hazards in Venezuela.