Open Science Initiatives by Sakurajima Volcano Observatory

The sudden eruption and tragedy of Mt. Ontake in 2014, a volcano located in central Japan, showed the fact that the volcanic eruption is the event with uncertainty, and it is important to let citizen to be aware of such uncertainty. To find measures to raise citizen’s disaster awareness, this study focuses on the risk communication between citizens and volcano observatories, which are attached to universities. It examines the role of observatories, focusing on the activities of the Sakurajima Volcano Research Center, which monitors Mt. Sakurajima, one of the most active volcanoes in Japan, and suggests the necessity of human resource development that is able to connect citizen and science.