Disaster Risk Reminders
By Nancy Nuñez and Emiliano Rodriguez Nuesch
Disaster ruins, preserved buildings and high water markers are places that serve as moving reminders of the past, carrying lessons that can influence our understanding of risk.
In previous articles, we explored risk reminders through examples of commemorations of traumatic events and the use of visible signs in everyday contexts, such as warning images on cigarette packs. These tools, whether symbolic or visual, demonstrate how emotional engagement can help overcome psychological biases, including amnesia bias—our tendency to forget the likelihood of recurring risks.
By examining historical examples in this article as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial and the Nojima Fault as well as flood and high water markers, we can explore how these sites foster risk internalization and address psychological barriers like amnesia bias.
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) is the only structure left standing near the hypocenter of the first atomic bomb which exploded on August 6, 1945. It has been preserved in the same condition right after the explosion, making it a reminder of the powerful symbol of humanity's most destructive force and also represents the hope for global peace and the elimination of nuclear weapons.
The significance of the Genbaku Dome goes beyond its physical presence. It triggers emotions in visitors, compelling them to confront the horrors of the past and the realities of nuclear risk. This emotional connection is crucial for overcoming amnesia bias, as it encourages individuals to remember and reflect on the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapons.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial. Source: Dudva, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Hiroshima Peace Memorial. Source: Freepik
Flood level markers are famous and display the levels of the most devastating floods in some areas. The plaques and lines on the walls of historic buildings serve as a constant reminder to locals and visitors of the risks posed by, natural hazards, rising sea levels, and climate change impact.
In Bristol, UK, flood level markers indicate the heights reached by past floods, highlighting the significant impact flooding has had, and continues to pose on the city’s coastal area. In 2009, projected flood marks on building facades illustrated how high water levels could rise if the sea were to inundate the city, helping residents visualize the extent of potential future flooding.
Watermarks Project: live in Bristol 2009. Source: watermarksproject.org
In Queensland, Australia, flood markers are a common sight in many towns along riverbanks. For example, the Macrossan Bridge Flood Marker serves both as a tourist spot and a risk reminder, displaying the floodwater heights of the mighty Burdekin River. Originally marked by local resident Fred Bagnall, who recorded flood heights near his home with his wife Olive, the local Council later agreed to erect a permanent marker based on his collected data.
In Galveston Texas, the blue line on the side of the 1869 First National Bank building shows the high water mark caused by the impact of Hurricane Ike in 2008.
First National Bank building, Galveston, Texas. High water line from Hurricane Ike, 2008. Photo credit AT Baker @ flickr
The Nojima Fault presents a different but just as powerful story. It’s a visible crack in the earth resulting from the Great Hanshin earthquake of 1995, and it serves as a reminder of the earthquake's impact. Preserving the fault is significant for educational and research purposes, offering future generations a way to study and better understand the risks of living in earthquake-prone areas.
At the Nojima Fault Preservation Museum, visitors can see the fault line and the damage caused by the earthquake firsthand. This experience aids in risk internalization —helping people understand that earthquakes are potentially devastating events that can impact anyone. The emotional impact of seeing this preserved fault and its associated destruction may evoke fear and caution, reinforcing the need for preparedness.
The Nojima Fault Preservation Museum. Photo Credit: Asahi Shimbun
When looking at these disaster risk reminders, it references Professor Paul Slovic's work, which highlights that emotions significantly shape how people perceive and respond to risks. Visiting the Hiroshima Memorial or the Nojima Fault can evoke strong emotional responses, increasing risk awareness and motivating people to internalize the threats posed by natural hazards like earthquakes and hurricanes and nuclear events such as the atomic bomb.
Many people often overlook serious risks due to the availability bias, For example, since few individuals have experienced a nuclear attack, it’s easy for them to believe it can't happen again. This leads them to think that some hazards are less likely to occur just because they can’t easily recall examples of them.
This type of risk reminders can act as nudges in the environment for both individuals and communities to consider potential risks. They can trigger emotions in both conscious and unconscious ways and help us visualize risk on a human scale and make more informed decisions.