10:25 am today

Graham Leonard: The science of warnings

From Saturday Morning, 10:25 am today
Photo of Graham Leonard

Graham Leonard Photo: Jeff McEwan, Capture Studios

Volcanologist and Earth Sciences New Zealand principal scientist, Graham Leonard is back this week looking at the role of social science in the delivery of disaster warnings.

ESNZ has a Joint Centre for Disaster Research with Massey University of Psychology and together over the last 20 years they have been researching human behaviour related to volcano, tsunami, earthquake, landslide and flood warnings.

Graham explains to Mihingarangi what they've learnt - and what we still don't understand.

A West Coast Regional Council warning sign on the south bank of the Waiho River, just west of the main road bridge. Motels formerly close to the sign were bought and removed by the council in 2014 due to the hazard posed by the river and risk of stopbank failure.

A West Coast Regional Council warning sign on the south bank of the Waiho River, just west of the main road bridge. Motels formerly close to the sign were bought and removed by the council in 2014 due to the hazard posed by the river and risk of stopbank failure. Photo: Local Democracy Reporting/ Greymouth Star - Brendon McMahon