New Zealand’s Earthquake Commission (EQC) is funding research to optimise the way volcanic risk is communicated and responded to.

It will investigate how agencies have communicated risk during times of inactivity, unrest, eruption and post-eruption during previous volcanic events globally, and create an effective approach for future events.

Massey University Associate Professor Julia Becker, who will lead the research, says communication of volcanic risk varies over time, depending on the status of the volcano and the population at risk, and is challenging due to the unpredictability of an eruption.

“We want to see whether communication for earthquakes could be transferable to a volcano context,” she said.

“It’s clear that an integrated approach would help to understand the range of ways to effectively communicate volcanic risk and provide advice for decision-making.”

EQC Research Manager Natalie Balfour says the research will ensure “important lessons from the past are not lost” and help us communicate volcanic risks more effectively in the future.

"Successful communication of volcanic risk will help the public and other decisionmakers to better plan and prepare,” Dr Balfour said.

In January, a Tonga volcanic eruption and tsunami caused widespread damage, and in September, the Cumbre Vieja volcano on La Palma Island in the Canary Islands led to lava flows destroying nearly 1000 homes and large areas of infrastructure and roads, with thousands of residents evacuated. In 2019, the White Island volcano eruption killed 22 and injured 25, many needing intensive care for burns.