Seismic Soundoff

"The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was a wake-up call. It showed me that even the best science fails without effective communication and proactive strategies to save lives." In this episode, host Andrew Geary talks with Ron Harris, Geological Sciences Professor at Brigham Young University, about his groundbreaking work in disaster preparedness. Ron shares insights from his Global Sustainability lecture (supported by the Baker Hughes Foundation) and the Geoscientists without Borders Java WAVES project, which focuses on how scientific research can save lives in disaster-prone regions. KEY POINTS & TAKEAWAYS > Proactive Disaster Preparedness: Ron champions moving beyond reactive approaches, using community-based education to prepare for potential hazards before they occur. > The "20-20-20" Evacuation Principle: This innovative rule helps communities quickly self-evacuate after earthquakes. By combining scientific data with simple messaging, Ron created a lifesaving tool anyone can understand and implement. > Scien