Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Ólafsson, personal communication, 2008). Town meetings were organized with local
residents in Rangávallasysla during 2008. Residents were given the opportunity to
voice their concerns with the evacuation plan (K. Porkelsson, personal communica-
tion, 2008). In order to better suit community needs and expectations, information
gathered during these meetings is being used to develop more appropriate evacuation
procedures.
Our preliminary investigation entails a descriptive view of public knowledge and
perception from a select group of residents living in each community in the Rangával-
lasysla hazard zone. As a result it is impossible to infer that results generated through
our research apply to the population as a whole. In order to establish a clear idea of
how the general public will respond during a future volcanic event and the complex
range of natural and social phenomena that affect the decision making process, more
detailed research needs to be conducted with a much larger sample group. Considering
that the residents of Rangávallasysla are not the only ones located in the hazard zone
this investigation has been expanded to include residents located in the hazards zones
to the south and east of Myrdalsjökull. A parallel study is also being conducted with
tourists and tourism employees within Pórsmörk, a popular tour destination located
west of Myrdalsjökull. Following the recent meetings with residents and current prog-
ress toward developing more appropriate evacuation procedures further studies should
investigate whether or not they suit community needs and expectations.
RESULTS
Our results are divided into three sections. Firstly, we report on our observations dur-
ing the evacuation exercise on March 26, 2008. Secondly, information derived from
the interviews with emergency management officials is documented. Thirdly, we
present results generated from the questionnaire survey interviews with the residents.
Comments recorded verbatim are presented in bullet form. In total, 60 individuals
were interviewed; 6 emergency personnel, and 54 residents.
The Evacuation Exercise of March 26, 2008
All people involved in the evacuation exercise were instructed to treat it as a real vol-
canic emergency situation. Details on weather conditions were determined by ICP and
emergency personnel were expected to consider wind speed and direction in relation
to the development of the volcanic plume. Regular updates of the height and width of
the plume were broadcast. Due to the possible hazard from tephra, helicopter pilots
refused to fly until EH gave them a direct order. Following this, one helicopter was
dispatched with a leading scientist to assess the eruption and another was on standby
at a nearby airstrip.
All offi cials within EH held a round table meeting to discuss the progress of the
eruption and evacuation every half hour. The Chief of Police of Rangávallasysla was
in charge. Everybody reported to him and he delegated responsibilities as the day pro-
gressed. He enforced the need to stay in constant contact with all personnel out in the
fi eld. To test the emergency teams for different situations actors were employed to role
play residents who refused to evacuate, residents who required medical assistance,
