Seismic risk perception and preparedness of primary schoolchildren: The case of Huajuapan, Oaxaca, Mexico

The chapter presents results regarding urban and semi-rural schoolchildren’s seismic risk perception, awareness and preparedness of a highly seismic region, in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. The sample of the study was N = 819 (Urban sample size = 522; Semi-rural sample size = 297). The main findings of the cross-sectional study have been the following: a) overall, urban schoolchildren demonstrated a generalized awareness of the seismic area where they live; however, this was not the case for semi-rural schoolchildren; educational campaigns may be needed to further enhance seismic awareness of both urban and semi-rural areas of the region; b) the two hazards associated with earthquakes and crime have been perceived to represent the two major threats to them at school and at home, and for both urban and semi-rural schoolchildren; c) schoolchildren emotions are not consistent when asked whether they would be able to control themselves during an earthquake; d) seismic risk communication takes place at school and at home; this may be regarded as encouraging in order to further educate children on seismic risk; however, more is needed to better educate them on important aspects regarding what to do before, during and after an earthquake and this may well prove to be an effective way to share their knowledge with their parents (most of them are not well educated) and contribute to built a resilient community to earthquakes; e) the preliminary findings of the study are consistent with has been found in similar studies; i.e., “children were able to identify higher frequency events at a higher frequency and lower frequency events at a relatively lower frequency.”