Furnas (ca. 1,500 inhabitants)
lies within the caldera of Furnas volcano on the island of São Miguel (Azores)
and has the potential to expose its inhabitants to multiple hazards (e.g.
landslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and degassing). The present population
has never experienced a volcanic eruption or a major earthquake, although the
catalogue records six eruptions, sub-Plinian in style over the last 2 ka years.
Today, the area experiences strong fumarolic activity. In the case of an
eruption, early evacuation would be necessary to prevent inhabitants being
trapped within the caldera. Awareness of potential threats and knowledge of
what to do in the case of an emergency would assist in evacuation. In this
paper inhabitants' awareness of volcanic and seismic threats in 2017 is
compared with those revealed in a similar study completed more than two decades
ago. It is concluded that, whereas awareness of earthquakes and the dangers
posed by volcanic gas discharge has increased, knowledge of the threat of
volcanic eruptions and the need to prepare for possible evacuation has not.
Research suggests that changing awareness is related to effective collaboration
that has developed between the regional government, through its civil
protection authorities and scientists, and the people of Furnas.