CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

In this work we present a model program designed to inform and promote the interest in volcanoes and their characteristics, in communities located near active volcanoes. Caviahue and Copahue towns (Argentina) are located near Copahue volcano (6 and 2 Km., respectively) and have a stable population of about 600 people, being tourism their main source of income. This volcano has a recent eruptive history (1992, 1995 and 2000), both communities have not been exposed to systematic programs of information about the characteristics of the volcanic area where they live, this fact was evidenced in the confusion and fear shown during the eruption on 2000. In this regard, and in order to inform about the risks and benefits of living in a volcanic area, a competition was organized, with students of the public school, to prepare a diffusion brochure for visitors to the area on three main topics (a) environmental characteristics, (b) how to act before the contingency, (c) the studies to monitor an active volcano. Previously workshops were organized to provide information on general volcanology and the Copahue volcano characteristics in particular. With this information and expanded on the web, xx brochures were made up and three of them were selected to be printed and distributed among tourists this year. Students were chosen as major receivers to possess ideal characteristics to support long-term activities as well as their ability of transmission to adults. Thus we believe that was achieved: (a) knowledge and awareness in children and through them to the community about the risks of living on a volcano, (b) information and awareness to tourists (transient population) who visit place, (c) to bring scientists into the community.