Analysis of public perception of debris flow hazard

Abstract

Landslides are common occurrences in the US West. Some of these events cause injury and even death to visitors to these landscapes. Investigates changes in visitor perceptions of the likelihood and location of landslide events in Glacier National Park, Montana, in the wake of a series of hazardous debris flow occurrences. The initial surveying was completed at the Logan Pass Visitor Center on 17 July 1998 using a specially created survey. On 28 July 1998, a series of debris flows crossed Going‐to‐the‐Sun Road and trapped several cars between flow deposits. The road was blocked for more than 24 hours as debris was cleared. In an attempt to examine perception differences after the slide event visitors were resurveyed at the same location on 30 July 1998. Results from statistical analyses and maps created from the survey revealed no significant changes in public perception of danger to self from landslides, nor in the perceived locations of where landslides may occur.

Citation

DeChano, L.M. and Butler, D.R. (2001), "Analysis of public perception of debris flow hazard", Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. 10 No. 4, pp. 261-269. https://doi.org/10.1108/09653560110403278