A Socio-Seismology Experiment in Haiti

Abstract

Earthquake risk reduction approaches classically apply a top-down model where scientific information is processed to deliver risk mitigation measures and policies understandable by all, while shielding end-users from the initial, possibly complex, information. Alternative community-based models exist but are rarely applied at a large scale and rely on valuable, but non-scientific, observations and experiences of local populations. In spite of risk reduction efforts based on both approaches, changes in behaviour or policies to reduce earthquake risk are slow or even non-existent, in particular in developing countries. Here we report on the initial stage of a project that aims at testing, through a participatory seismology experiment in Haiti-a country struck by a devastating earthquake in January 2010-whether public or community involvement through the production and usage of seismic information can improve earthquake awareness and, perhaps, induce grassroots protection initiatives. This experiment is made possible by the recent launch of very low-cost, plug-and-play, Raspberry Shake seismological stations, the relative ease of access to the internet even in developing countries such as Haiti, and the familiarity of all with social networks as a way to disseminate information. Our early findings indicate that 1) the seismic data collected is of sufficient quality for real-time detection and characterization of the regional seismicity, 2) citizens are in demand of earthquake information and trust scientists, even though they appear to see earthquakes through the double lens of tectonics and magic/ religion, 3) the motivation of seismic station hosts has allowed data to flow without interruption for more than a year, including through a major political crisis in the Fall of 2019 and the current COVID19 situation. At this early stage of the project, our observations indicate that citizen-seismology in a development context has potential to engage the public while collecting scientifically-relevant seismological information.

Urban seismic monitoring in Brasília, Brazil

“…However, monitoring of ground motion in urban environments have an important role in the maximization of the spatial coverage of seismic networks, warning systems of local geological hazards, and also for education purposes (e.g. [ 5 – 7 ]). Urban seismology is a relatively new research field, related to the concept of citizen seismology, and it takes advantage of that seismographic stations can record mobility patterns in populated areas [ 4 ].…”

Citizen seismology helps decipher the 2021 Haiti earthquake

“…1B), but hard-to-reach rural communities also took a hit, in a context aggravated by the tropical storm that followed the event and chronic insecurity complicating field access from the capital city. In spite of these difficulties, and in the absence of an operational national network of conventional seismic stations, nearby seismological data were readily available during and after the earthquake because of a citizen seismology effort using inexpensive and low-maintenance “Raspberry Shake” (RS) seismic stations hosted by volunteers ( 5 – 7 ) (Fig. 1) [see (8), section 1].…”

Lessons for Remote Post-earthquake Reconnaissance from the 14 August 2021 Haiti Earthquake

“…Limited on-the-ground access has made mapping and identification of surface ruptures challenging. Although many of the citizen science seismometers in the Ayiti-seismes, 2022 network (Calais et al, 2020) were not operational at the time of the earthquake, a single raspberry shake R50D4 provided a record of strong ground motions ~15 km from the earthquake (on the 2012), and the station NQUSE in the American embassy provided an additional in-country record of strong ground motion (Courboulex et al, 2021). The availability of strong ground motion records is in stark contrast to the last major earthquake in Haiti, which occurred on 10 January 2010.…”