Abstract
This thesis details the interdisciplinary graduate research between the Department of Earth and Spatial Sciences and the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Idaho. This study focuses on the public understanding of geologic and climatologic volcanic hazards in Skagit and Snohomish Counties of Washington State. This project seeks to aid community outreach coordinators in producing hazard preparedness materials that help decrease the public's gap of knowledge regarding hazards. These hazards include earthquakes, floods, landslides, tornados (severe storms), tsunamis, wildfires, and volcanic hazards, with particular emphasis on volcanic hazards related to Glacier Peak. Household preparedness in the region can be improved by introducing participants to experimental learning. To effectively educate community members, a survey was conducted to analyze the communities’ understanding of hazards and hazard preparedness in Snohomish and Skagit County. Survey responses were analyzed with contingency analysis, comprised of mosaic plots, contingency tables, Pearson chi-square statistics, and significance testing (p-value). The completion of this study concludes that Snohomish and Skagit County residents have an inconsistent understanding of seven of the Washington State hazards. Providing community and emergency officials with educational opportunities to close the gaps in knowledge of Snohomish and Skagit County residents is recommended.