Public Awareness and Perception of Earthquake Hazard: A Case Study in Herat Province

Natural disasters, notably earthquakes, remain a global concern due to their unpredictable and devastating nature. Afghanistan, strategically located at the intersection of tectonic plates, faces a persistent seismic threat heightened by its geological diversity. Despite historical perceptions of Herat Province as less prone to seismic activity, October 2023 observed an extraordinary wave of seismic events, four consecutive earthquakes, each registering a magnitude of 6.3, resulting in substantial devastation with 1,482 fatalities and 2,100 injuries. Mitigating the impact of disasters and minimizing both spiritual and material losses are predominantly achievable through the education of every individual within a society. This research, employing a rigorous mixed-methods approach, aimed to thoroughly examine and address gaps in public awareness and perception of earthquake hazards in Herat. A questionnaire, featuring 21 questions, was distributed to 835 participants across strategically selected districts. It encompassed both closed-ended questions, with two-choice and multiple-choice formats, and open-ended questions that encouraged participants to express their opinions. And the result of which were analyzed through SPSS version 24. The results revealed concerning disparities: 89.46% were unaware of earthquake hazards, 81.2% lacked confidence in the country's earthquake preparedness, and a significant portion (68.02%) had never experienced an earthquake. The study suggests government-led workshops to enhance community resilience, emphasizing stringent building compliance with seismic codes. It highlights the imperative for government intervention in disseminating accurate earthquake preparedness information, addressing the prevalence of misinformation on social media platforms, particularly Telegram channels.