Risk Communication: Translating Technical Terms into Responsible Community Actions

What “Risk Communication” Means in Earthquake Work

Risk communication is the practice of turning technical earthquake information into messages that help people make safer choices without exaggeration, false certainty, or paralysis. It is not marketing, and it is not simply “sharing data.” In hazard awareness, good communication links three elements: what could happen (hazard), what could be harmed (exposure and vulnerability), and what people can do now (actions). The goal is responsible community action: decisions that reduce harm, are feasible for the audience, and do not create new risks (for example, panic evacuations during shaking).

In practice, risk communication is a translation task with ethical constraints. You must preserve meaning while changing language, format, and emphasis. You also need to communicate uncertainty honestly, because earthquake information often comes with ranges, probabilities, and incomplete observations. The measure of success is not whether the audience can repeat technical terms, but whether they can choose appropriate actions: securing heavy furniture, practicing safe protective behavior, checking on neighbors, or following official guidance after an event.

Three questions every message should answer

• What is happening or could happen? (Describe the situation in plain language.)
• What does it mean for me here? (Local relevance, who is most affected, what changes.)
• What should I do next? (Specific, doable actions with timing.)

Common Technical Terms and How to Translate Them Responsibly

Technical vocabulary is useful among specialists, but it can mislead or intimidate the public. Translation is not “dumbing down”; it is selecting words that match how people make decisions under stress. Below are frequent terms and practical ways to express them without losing accuracy.

Hazard, risk, and vulnerability

• Technical: Hazard is the physical event; risk combines hazard, exposure, and vulnerability; vulnerability is susceptibility to damage or harm.
• Plain-language translation: “The earthquake shaking is the hazard. Risk is the chance that shaking will hurt people or damage buildings here. Vulnerability is how easily our homes, schools, and services could be harmed.”
• Action link: “We can’t stop the hazard, but we can lower risk by reducing vulnerability (safer buildings, secured contents) and exposure (keeping people away from falling hazards during shaking).”

Probability, likelihood, and uncertainty

• Technical: Probabilities describe chances over a time window; uncertainty reflects limited knowledge and natural variability.
• Plain-language translation: “This is not a prediction of a specific day. It’s a way of saying how likely something is over a period of time, like weather chances.”
• Responsible phrasing: Use ranges and time windows: “more likely in the next week than usual,” rather than “an earthquake is coming.”

Return period / recurrence interval

• Technical: Average time between events of a certain size, not a schedule.
• Plain-language translation: “On average, events like this happen about every X years, but they can cluster or be absent for longer. It’s not a countdown.”
• Action link: “Because timing is uncertain, preparedness should be continuous, not triggered only when a date approaches.”

Scenario vs forecast

• Technical: A scenario is a plausible event used for planning; a forecast estimates likelihood over time.
• Plain-language translation: “A scenario is a ‘what if’ story to test plans. A forecast is a ‘how likely’ estimate for a time window.”
• Action link: “Use scenarios for drills and resource planning; use forecasts to adjust readiness levels, not to evacuate during normal conditions.”

Ground motion, shaking intensity, and “strong shaking”

• Technical: Ground motion measures (acceleration, velocity) relate to damage potential; intensity describes observed effects.
• Plain-language translation: “Strong shaking means it will be hard to stand, items may fall, and weak structures may be damaged.”
• Action link: “During strong shaking: protect yourself from falling objects; after: check for gas leaks and structural hazards before re-entering.”

Aftershocks and “elevated chance”

• Technical: Aftershocks are expected following a mainshock; probabilities decay over time but can remain elevated.
• Plain-language translation: “Smaller earthquakes are likely after a big one, and some can still be damaging. The chance is highest soon after, then gradually drops.”
• Action link: “Treat damaged buildings as unsafe until inspected; keep shoes and a light handy; expect additional shaking.”

Principles for Responsible Messaging (What to Do and What to Avoid)

1) Lead with actions, not numbers

Numbers can be useful, but most people need to know what changes in their decisions. A message that starts with “There is a 12% chance…” often fails because the audience does not know whether 12% is high or low. Start with the action and the reason, then provide the number as supporting detail.

• Better structure: “Because aftershocks are likely this week, avoid entering damaged buildings and secure heavy items. The chance of a damaging aftershock is higher than normal for the next several days.”

2) Use calibrated language

Words like “imminent,” “massive,” “catastrophic,” and “safe” are often interpreted as certainty. Replace them with calibrated terms tied to time and impact.

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• Avoid: “You are safe now.”
• Prefer: “The immediate shaking has stopped, but aftershocks are possible. Stay alert and follow local guidance.”

3) Be explicit about what is known and unknown

Uncertainty is not a weakness; it is part of honest communication. State what evidence supports the message and what remains uncertain.

• Template: “We know X from observations. We do not know Y (exact timing/size). Based on similar sequences, we expect Z (general pattern).”

4) Avoid single-point predictions

Specific dates, exact magnitudes, and precise locations are often misused. If you must discuss likelihood, keep it in ranges and time windows and pair it with actions that are appropriate regardless of the outcome.

5) Match the message to the audience’s capacity

Responsible actions must be feasible. A message to a school differs from a message to a hospital, a small business, or a neighborhood association. Consider constraints: language access, disability needs, transportation, housing insecurity, and trust in institutions.

A Step-by-Step Workflow for Translating Technical Information into Community Actions

Use this workflow when you receive a technical update (for example, an agency bulletin, a scientific advisory, or a local monitoring report) and need to communicate it to the public.

Step 1: Identify the decision the audience must make

Ask: “What decision could change outcomes in the next hour, day, or week?” Examples include: whether to enter a damaged building, whether to cancel an event in an unsafe structure, whether to check on neighbors, or whether to secure household hazards.

• Output: One sentence describing the decision.

Step 2: Extract the minimum technical facts needed

Collect only what supports the decision. This usually includes: what happened, what might happen next, where impacts are most relevant, and how confident the information is.

• Output: 3–5 bullet points in technical terms for internal use.

Step 3: Convert facts into plain-language meaning

Translate each technical bullet into a “so what” statement. Replace jargon with everyday words, but keep the logic intact.

• Technique: For each bullet, write: “This means…” and “For you, that looks like…”

Step 4: Choose 2–4 actions and make them specific

Actions should be concrete, time-bound, and prioritized. Avoid long lists that overwhelm. Include what to do now and what to do next.

• Good action wording: “Move tall furniture away from beds tonight,” “Do not re-enter cracked masonry buildings until inspected,” “Keep a flashlight and shoes by the bed for the next week.”

Step 5: Add uncertainty without undermining action

State uncertainty in a way that supports preparedness: “We can’t know exactly, so we prepare for a range.” Avoid language that sounds like “we don’t know anything.”

• Example: “We cannot predict the exact timing of an aftershock, but after similar earthquakes, additional strong shaking is possible in the coming days.”

Step 6: Stress-test the message for misinterpretation

Before publishing, ask what a rushed reader might misunderstand. Common failure modes: people think you are predicting a specific event; people think there is no risk; people think they should evacuate during shaking; people think rumors are confirmed.

• Check questions: “Could this be read as a guarantee?” “Does it accidentally encourage dangerous behavior?” “Is the action feasible for most households?”

Step 7: Deliver in multiple formats and languages

Risk communication is not only text. Use short posts, a longer explainer, an audio script for radio, and a printable flyer. Ensure accessibility: plain language, translations, captions, and high-contrast visuals.

Message Templates You Can Reuse

Template A: Post-event aftershock advisory (community)

What happened: “A strong earthquake occurred near [place] at [time].”

What to expect: “Aftershocks are likely in the next [days/weeks]. Some may be strong enough to cause additional damage.”

What to do now: “Stay out of damaged buildings. If you must enter briefly, watch for falling debris and leave immediately if you hear cracking or see new damage.”

What to do next: “Secure heavy items, check on neighbors who may need help, and follow local inspection and shelter guidance.”

Uncertainty statement: “We cannot predict the timing of aftershocks, but the chance is higher than normal for a period after a large quake.”

Template B: Pre-event long-term hazard message (preparedness framing)

Core message: “Earthquake shaking is a normal part of living in this region, and it can happen without warning.”

Local meaning: “The biggest injuries often come from falling objects and unsafe buildings.”

Actions: “Secure tall furniture, keep pathways clear, practice protective actions, and know how to communicate with family if phones are down.”

Uncertainty statement: “We can’t know the day or hour, so the best time to reduce risk is before the next event.”

Practical Examples: Turning Technical Statements into Actionable Guidance

Example 1: Translating a probability statement

Technical input: “There is a 5–10% probability of an event capable of causing additional damage in the next 7 days.”

Risk of misinterpretation: People may hear “only 5%” and do nothing, or hear “10%” and panic.

Responsible translation: “The chance of a damaging aftershock is higher than normal this week. Most aftershocks will be smaller, but some could still be strong. Avoid damaged buildings and secure items that could fall.”

Action checklist (short):

• Do not re-enter visibly damaged structures until inspected.
• Move heavy objects off high shelves.
• Keep shoes and a flashlight within reach at night.

Example 2: Translating “advisory” vs “warning” language

Technical input: “An advisory has been issued due to elevated seismicity.”

Risk of misinterpretation: People may assume an advisory means an earthquake is imminent, or assume it is meaningless.

Responsible translation: “Officials are sharing an update because earthquake activity is higher than usual. This does not mean a large earthquake will happen, but it is a good time to review safety steps and avoid unsafe buildings.”

Action framing: Emphasize low-cost, high-benefit actions that are appropriate even if nothing happens.

Example 3: Translating “no tsunami threat” without implying “no danger”

Technical input: “No tsunami threat.”

Risk of misinterpretation: People may interpret this as “everything is safe.”

Responsible translation: “There is no tsunami expected from this earthquake. However, strong shaking and aftershocks can still cause injuries and damage. Stay away from damaged buildings and watch for hazards like broken glass and downed lines.”

Handling Rumors, Misinformation, and “Prediction” Claims

After earthquakes, social media often fills with claims of predictions, secret warnings, or “signs” that a bigger quake is guaranteed. A responsible communicator does not amplify rumors by repeating them in detail, but does address the underlying fear and provide a clear alternative source of truth.

A practical response protocol

• 1) Acknowledge the concern: “It’s understandable to be worried after strong shaking.”
• 2) State what is verified: “Here is what monitoring shows and what agencies have confirmed.”
• 3) Correct the claim without debate: “There is no reliable method to predict the exact time of an earthquake.”
• 4) Redirect to actions: “Regardless of rumors, the safest steps are…”
• 5) Provide a trusted link or hotline: Point to official local sources and inspection guidance.

Language that reduces conflict

Avoid insulting phrasing (“That’s nonsense”). Use neutral corrections: “That claim is not supported by evidence,” “That source is not an official monitoring agency,” “What we can say with confidence is…”

Communicating With Different Community Groups

Households and renters

Focus on actions under their control: securing contents, knowing safe spots, understanding building re-entry, and planning communication. Avoid messages that assume home ownership or the ability to retrofit.

• Action examples: “Use removable straps for furniture,” “Ask your landlord about inspection after a quake,” “Know where the gas shutoff is only if you are trained and it is recommended locally.”

Schools and childcare settings

Messages should prioritize supervision, reunification, and drills that reduce chaos. Provide clear instructions for staff roles and parent communication, and avoid technical detail that does not change procedures.

Small businesses

Translate risk into continuity actions: protecting inventory, securing shelving, training staff on immediate protective actions, and post-event inspection/closure decisions. Provide “open/close” criteria tied to observable building conditions and official inspections.

Clinics and care facilities

Emphasize redundancy and patient safety: securing medical equipment, backup power awareness, and clear internal communication. Messages should be coordinated with facility leadership and local emergency management to avoid conflicting instructions.

Designing Messages for Stress: Clarity, Brevity, and Repetition

During and after earthquakes, attention is limited. People skim. Design messages so the key actions survive partial reading.

Practical formatting rules

• Put the action in the first 140 characters for short posts.
• Use numbered steps when sequence matters (for example, “If you smell gas…”).
• Limit to 2–4 actions per message; link to a longer page for more.
• Repeat the same verbs across channels (avoid changing “Stay out of damaged buildings” to “Avoid compromised structures” unless necessary).
• Use concrete nouns (“brick chimney,” “glass storefront,” “tall bookcase”) rather than abstract hazards.

Example: One message in three lengths

Short (SMS/social): “Aftershocks likely this week. Stay out of damaged buildings, secure items that can fall, and keep shoes/flashlight by your bed.”

Medium (community bulletin): “Aftershocks are common after a strong earthquake and can cause additional damage. For the next several days: (1) avoid entering damaged buildings until inspected, (2) move heavy items off high shelves, (3) check on neighbors who may need help.”

Long (web explainer): Add the uncertainty statement, what inspections mean, and where to get verified updates.

Ethics and Safety: What Responsible Communication Must Not Do

Risk communication can cause harm if it triggers dangerous behavior or erodes trust. Keep these guardrails.

• Do not encourage spontaneous evacuation during shaking. Messages should reinforce protective behavior and post-shaking evacuation only when necessary due to immediate hazards.
• Do not over-reassure. “All clear” language is rarely appropriate when aftershocks or secondary hazards remain possible.
• Do not speculate beyond evidence. If you do not know, say so and explain what is being monitored.
• Do not shift blame to individuals. Focus on practical steps and community support, not moral judgment.
• Do not ignore equity. Provide options for people with limited resources (for example, “If you can’t buy straps, use temporary solutions like moving heavy items low and away from beds”).

Building a Community Feedback Loop (So Messages Improve)

Communication is a system, not a one-time broadcast. Build feedback so you learn what people understood and what they did.

Simple methods that work

• Two-question checks at meetings: “What is the one action you will take this week?” “What part of the message was unclear?”
• Partner review: Ask a community leader, teacher, or health worker to rewrite your message in their own words; compare meaning.
• Hotline and FAQ tracking: Track repeated questions after an event; update scripts to address them directly.
• Rumor log: Maintain a list of recurring misinformation themes and prepare pre-approved responses.

Mini Toolkit: Turning a Technical Brief into a Public Script

Use the following structure to produce a 60–90 second audio script for radio or a community loudspeaker announcement. Keep sentences short and verbs active.

1) Situation (1 sentence): What happened / what is changing. 2) Local meaning (1–2 sentences): Who is affected and how. 3) Actions (3 short bullets spoken as sentences): What to do now. 4) Uncertainty (1 sentence): What we cannot know, stated plainly. 5) Source (1 sentence): Where to get verified updates and help.

Practice example (fill-in): “A strong earthquake occurred near [place]. Aftershocks are likely over the next [time window]. If your building has cracks, fallen bricks, or a leaning chimney, stay out until it is inspected. Secure heavy items that could fall, and keep shoes and a flashlight nearby. We cannot predict the timing of aftershocks, so stay ready for more shaking. For verified updates and inspection guidance, follow [local authority] or call [number].”