By Emiliano Rodriguez Nuesch and María Morena Vicente

In the Arithmetic of Compassion blog, we’ve been exploring risk perception and invisible risks, such as nuclear threats. Today, we discuss another real risk in today's world scenario: volcanic risk in Naples, Italy.

In Naples, lies a hidden danger that few residents fully recognize: Campi Flegrei, an invisible supervolcano with catastrophic potential. Unlike Mount Vesuvius, which looms visibly over the landscape, Campi Flegrei’s threats are concealed, making it a challenge to convey its risks to the local population.

The 1944 eruption of Mount Vesuvius marked a significant point in the history of volcanology, providing valuable insights into volcanic behavior and the importance of monitoring and preparedness. Vesuvius, with its iconic shape, constantly reminds locals of volcanic threats, while Campi Flegrei’s hidden nature leads to low awareness and urgency.

Recent seismic activity has raised concerns, yet many locals remain indifferent due to psychological barriers like optimism bias and status quo bias.

Risk perception differs when a danger is visible versus hidden. What happens when risk is apparently invisible and numbing sets in?

However, due to recent seismic activity, local risk perceptions are changing. This year, no one expected the largest earthquake in over 40 years to hit. Millions felt a sizable earthquake from the Campi Flegrei volcano in Italy, accompanied by hundreds of smaller quakes. This video explains the latest activity, the surprising damage, and assesses the risk of a volcanic eruption. As a result, People in Pozzuoli have been sleeping in tent camps, cars and on the street after a series of earthquakes. Can this situation get even more serious?

“Communicating the danger of this volcano alongside research and monitoring is very important. It is in general for all volcanoes, but it becomes particularly important in the case of volcanoes where urbanization is intense and practically inside the volcanic area itself, such as Campi Flegrei”, says volcanologist Rossella Nave, from INGV.

To address these communicational and risk perception challenges, students from the Landscape Design course at Cal Poly Pomona Italy, coordinated by Emiliano Rodriguez Nuesch and Professor Raymond Senes, visited Naples.

The students explored both Vesuvius and Campi Flegrei, noting the differences in public perception. Their task was to use design and communication to highlight Campi Flegrei's dangers and promote preparedness.

During the field work, they recognized that different audiences have unique needs. For example, the general public needed basic knowledge and evacuation procedures.

Local businesses needed continuity planning, schools required age-appropriate risk education, tourists needed immediate risk information, and community leaders needed empowerment to spread accurate information.

Communication strategies were tailored accordingly. The students created various communication pieces—video, cartoons, candles, t-shirts, backpacks. These items resonated with local culture to try to effectively communicate volcanic risk in Campi Flegrei.

Innovative Communication Approaches

Students Eden Hendricks and Hannah Hillman made an informative video about volcano risks, comparing Vesuvius and the Campi Flegrei, and explaining the geographical details, activity status, and evacuation plans. The key to this presentation is that they’ve used humor and compelling language to capture the target audience's attention and communicate risk information more effectively. Here’s the video:

Take a look at this t-shirt that uses design and illustration to communicate volcano risk, by making the underground visible.

Student Jennifer Sarabia designed an emergency backpack revealing the volcanic nature of the underground in Campi Flegrei.

Adrian Aguilar designed a stained glass art piece to make the invisible volcanoes visible, as observed through the window.

Paco Ojeda and Zachary Solorza created a comic book that tells a story about political inefficacy, poor risk management and the importance of community strengthening during difficult times.

Students Kara Bolin and Jessica Reed leveraged the strong presence of religion in Italy and created candles for prayer, which would include relevant information about the volcano, along with Q&A for preparedness.

Another group of students created the #EVACUARECF project using vibrant bus wraps and postcards to raise awareness about the volcanic threat of Campi Flegrei among tourists and locals. The design features maps, murals, and QR codes linking to evacuation plans. The goal is to educate and engage through visually appealing graphics and social media.

By: Sydney Watt, Kiley Cook and Anna Guevara.

Takeaways

By working with a real-world case study, Cal Poly Pomona students learned the value of using culturally resonant methods to tackle psychological barriers. They discovered that aligning communication strategies with cultural preferences can significantly improve risk communication.

Effective risk communication is crucial for managing invisible threats like Campi Flegrei. being essential to educate communities about early warning systems and encourage proactive measures for preparedness.

The volcano is there but you can't see it