Chapter 8 - Communicating Tsunami Risk and Uncertainties

Risk communication. The communication of tsunami hazard or risk results (e.g., hazard and risk metrics, hazard and risk data products) with institutional users (such as disaster managers, fire brigades, police units, etc.) and populations not trained to understand and interpret scientific results is an important step and poses many challenges. For example, communication of probabilistic statements that inevitably include uncertainties needs specific attention and considerations (Rafliana et al. 2022). To support the implementation of new tsunami hazard and risk models within disaster risk management activities, the last key ingredient corresponds to tsunami risk communication. While a full elaboration on communicating probabilities and uncertainties goes well beyond the scope of this cookbook, we still strive to raise awareness among the scientific community and practitioners to keep this important aspect of PTHA and PTRA in mind. We aim at providing scientists with guidance and background information on how to appropriately engage in, co-design, prepare, and deliver risk communication, with and to different audiences.