U.S. Colombia Planning Workshop: Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration in Volcanic Risk Mitigation at Galeras Volcano, Narino, Colombia

Abstract Proposal: OISE-0929511 PI/Institution: Michael Sheridan, State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo The proposed U.S.-Colombia planning workshop organized by U.S. PI Dr. Michael Sheridan from SUNY at Buffalo with colleagues from Colombia (Dr. Gustavo Cordoba, Univ. of Nariño), Mexico (Dr. Jose Macias, Univ. Nacional Autónoma de Mexico -UNAM), and the U.K. (Steve Sparks, Bristol Univ.) aims to improve communication and risk perception among all of the parties involved in the Galeras volcanic activity in Colombia. Volcanic mitigation is an important issue for active volcano sites around the world. Participants will analyze existing hazard maps and safety plans for the Galeras volcano based on current models and methods for analyzing volcanic hazards. Workshop participants will be introduced to the use of an "event tree methodology" designed to optimize communication between scientists, decision makers, and populations in areas affected by hazardous natural phenomena. Expected outcomes of this workshop include: information transfer; workforce development of U.S. and Colombian scientists and students; testing of new tools useful to decision makers; development of new models that incorporate physical processes and social parameters, and future collaborations in this important area.