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a Katla eruption. Furthermore, many people expressed concern about completing all
the instructions on the evacuation list and of particular concern was the instruction to
release animals from their enclosures.
Another important message communicated during the discussions was the great
concern for tephra fallout. Participants not only feared personal health risks--one
participant stated “we have bought ourselves gas masks in case of tephra”--but also
related risks associated with the complete darkness that can be experienced during the
middle of the day, the threat to agricultural land and the threat to car engines. However,
one of the most important statements that arose during these discussions was regarding
residents' involvement in the development of the evacuation plan. Several residents
objected that they had no say in how the evacuation should be implemented within
their communities and following the exercise they were not informed about how suc-
cessful the drill had been.
CONCLUSIONS
The evacuation plan is the first to be developed and implemented in the municipal-
ity of Rangávallasysla and the ICP, scientists, local police, and rescue teams should
be commended for their efforts. However, more work needs to be done to reduce the
impact of a future Katla eruption. This can be achieved by addressing some of the
main issues raised by our participants. The data provides an insight into how residents
interpret their situation in relation to Katla, its associated hazards and their potential
response during a crisis. This information highlights the importance of integrating the
physical characteristics of Katla's volcanic hazards within context of the communi-
ties at risk. Our participants are aware of jökulhlaup, tephra, lightning, and rock fall
hazards but they have not been provided with enough information to enable them to
make an informed decision on whether to evacuate or take shelter in place and how to
best protect their livestock. Comparatively, from the information provided, residents
in Vestur-Eyjafjöll have been able to conclude that their homes will not be directly
affected by jökulhlaup and therefore they are not willing to evacuate. However, non-
hazard related factors such as not wanting to leave animals unattended may also influ-
ence their decision to evacuate. Furthermore, residents' participation in the evacuation
exercise does not necessarily reflect their willingness to evacuate. These examples un-
derline the complex range of natural and social phenomena that affect the individual's
decision making process and as a result may inhibit a successful evacuation.
Results from our study highlighted problems associated with communication dur-
ing the evacuation exercise and the possible need to fi nd alternative modes which
do not rely so heavily on technology. In light of this, scientists and emergency man-
agement offi cials should collaborate with media agencies and the public in order to
promote the use of media resources and, to ensure hazard information is accurately
distributed in an understandable form. Furthermore, the importance of the sweepers'
role during an evacuation should be emphasized as they may provide the only com-
munication link between emergency management and farming communities. Recent
public meetings which involved residents in risk mitigation efforts are a positive step
toward empowering residents with evacuation procedures and preparedness strategies.
 
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