A. Jerkins1 , J. Nambili2 , J.D. Assink3 , N.P. Titus4
1Norwegian Seismic Array (NORSAR)
2Young Professionals Network
3Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI)
4Geological Survey of Namibia
Abstract:
The Kunene Region in north-western Namibia is a geological laboratory for continental break-up whereby the region is littered with faults and thrusts and seismic activity has often been reported. In 2018, an unprecedented number of earthquakes has been recorded. Due to the remoteness of the region, very few people have been able to communicate their experiences to the relevant authorities and the media. Remote communities feel disempowered and fearful of their environment. Their understanding of natural occurring events, such as earthquakes are also tested and requires engagement by experts with effective communication tools. The Young Professionals Network in cooperation with the Namibian National Data Center (NDC) is taking on this challenge to build resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations applying effective communication strategies and tools to transmit information to vulnerable groups. Scientific results and useful information produced by the Young Professionals Network and the Namibian NDC using International Monitoring System (IMS) data and processed with NDC-in-a-box software is shared and communicated to the affected rural communities. The project aims to measure how well useful scientific information using IMS data and IDC products is relayed to affected rural communities using novel communication techniques.
