CONFERENCE PROGRAM:

The overarching theme for the conference will be Opportunities from Disaster: Lessons from 25 years living with the volcano. Each day will have a sub-theme to reflect several topics that will have a multi-disciplinary contribution, the four day-themes will be:

Symposium 1 – Science into disaster risk reduction

An important element of our response to volcanic hazard is our belief that we can build a meaningful understanding of volcanic structure and processes. These models and interpretations can help us forecast volcanic behaviour and allow evidence-based approaches to mitigating the risks that volcanic eruptions pose to human communities.

In this session we welcome submissions from the physical sciences such as physical volcanology, geophysics, geochemistry and petrology. This session also encourages submissions on developments in monitoring methods and tools which aid in the identification and interpretation of volcanic signals. Furthermore, we seek contributions highlighting the practical implementation of science for disaster risk reduction such as developments in hazard mapping and event trees that support decision making and foster a prepared populace together with rational development strategies in multi-hazard environments.

Symposium 2 – Learning from the past

Post-disaster a familiar cry strikes up ‘lets learn the lessons!’ But how do we really process these lessons, and to what extent are the disasters of the present rooted in the mistakes of the past? How do we use these memories to commemorate what happens and share these experiences equitably and justly? We welcome any contributions that tackle these issues and  demonstrate how the geological, archaeological and recent past can offer real lessons that not only share the past but offer means to transform the future too through for example improved understandings, the development of geoheritage materials, or processes that offer real recovery and greater preparedness for the future. In addition, examples of practical mechanisms such as the use of geoparks to promote learning for future generations. Contributions that demonstrate lessons from Montserrat and the wider Caribbean are particularly welcome.

Symposium 3 – Cultures of communication

‘Nothing in science has any value to society has any value if it is not communicated’ (Anne Roe) – yet the complexities around a volcanic eruptions centre on much more than just the behaviour of the volcano itself. The 25 years of the Soufriere Hills eruption has also coincided with an unprecedented expansion in the methods and means we can use to communicate. The Montserrat Volcano Observatory was one of the first to share its bulletins via the internet. Thus we welcome any contributions that deal with any aspects of communicating during a disaster, from analysis of communication processes to knowledge of how to convey clear and concise messages and how to engage ethically with the emotion and upset disasters invoke. We will also explore how living with a volcano can impact the culture and invite presentations highlighting the short and long term cultural responses to the eruption. In keeping with this we welcome contributions in a variety of formats including performance, film and audience participation as well as the more usual talk format.

Symposium 4 – Resources for future resilience

Some of the most amazing landscapes are near volcanoes. This is because volcanic activity builds land creating breath-taking scenery. Volcanoes are economically vital for many regions because of the recreational activity and tourism they attract. Volcanoes are a natural resource, the mineral rich soil influences the flora and fauna and they produce materials such as copper, gold, silver, lead, and zinc that can be utilised for economic purposes. The internal heat associated with young volcanic systems has also been harnessed to produce geothermal energy. The knowledge that we gain through learning about a volcano, its products and its impact is also a resource that we can use to promote future resilience. We invite contributions that outline work that has been done, or is being undertaken in the study of communities living with volcanoes and how they use this natural resource for promoting future resilience.