Rivalling Disaster Experiences : The Case of the Seismo-Volcanic Crisis of El Hierro, Canary Islands

People experience disasters very differently. Conflicts about a »correct« interpretation of the risks might arise. The side-by-side of different truths lead to people seeing mismanagement and disinformation. The volcanic crisis of El Hierro shows how rivalling interpretations amongst affected islanders, the media, sciences, and disaster response institutions cause great social tensions and scepticism towards scientific information. Thus, to fully understand disaster risk, the focus must shift to the rifts between established convictions and the individuals' creativity to overcome them, taking into account their embeddedness in various fields of practice, each with their own rationales and ruptures. Contents Acknowledgements Abstract 1. Preface: A Volcano Named ‘Cabrón’ 2. Introduction: The Seismo-Volcanic Crisis of El Hierro 3. The Study Area: El Hierro, Canary Islands 4. A Scientist’s View on Volcanic Risks on El Hierro, Canary Islands 5. Culturally Borne Disasters 6. Geography of Risk Inspired by a Pragmatist Notion of Praxis 7. Research Design and Methodological Approach 8. Disaster Experiences in Rivalling Fields of Practice 9. Conclusion: Disaster Experiences Emerging from Rivalling Fields of Practice References Illustration Index Index of Tables Abbreviations List of Interviews