Geoethics and the 2018 Post-Earthquake Recovery on Etna: Psychological Consequences of Relocation Strategies

Mount Etna has a well-documented history of frequent eruptions and seismic activity, periodically causing significant damage to urban areas. On December 26, 2018, a Mw 4.9 shallow earthquake struck the volcano’s eastern flank, severely damaging approximately 3,000 buildings. The post-earthquake recovery approach aimed to enhance community resilience by considering the hazardous nature of the affected territory. This objective was achieved by considering the hazardous nature of the affected territory. In areas impacted by active faults, the relocation of damaged buildings was encouraged, while cleared zones were repurposed for public use, transformed into gardens and open-air parking spaces. Despite these efforts, some relocated individuals experienced psychological distress. To address this challenge, government planners played a pivotal role in disseminating scientifically accurate information, raising public awareness, and facilitating adaptation. The approach implemented on Etna was later adopted in other post-earthquake recovery projects in Italy, evolving into a successful strategy for risk mitigation in disaster-prone areas.