Mitigating Volcanic Risk through Knowledge Dissemination and Awareness Raising: The Experience of the Museums Operated by the Vesuvius Observatory (INGV)

The dissemination of knowledge about natural hazards is one of the most powerful tools for reducing risk and strengthening the resilience of communities exposed to natural threats. Effective risk communication—accurate, accessible, and scientifically sound—is the foundation for awareness and sustainable land management. Building a true culture of risk requires long-term education that involves all social groups, starting with the younger generations.

Schools play a central role in this process, as they are the most effective channel to shape awareness and promote a balanced relationship between humans and the environment. As formal educational institutions, they not only provide scientific understanding but also foster confidence in research and in the value of culture. Alongside schools, scientific institutions that monitor and study hazardous natural phenomena have the responsibility to complement research with outreach and educational initiatives, ensuring that knowledge reaches all parts of society.

Recently, science museums and Science Centers became vital actors in this mission. Evolving from traditional exhibition spaces into interactive learning environments, they now engage a wide and diverse public through digital and multimedia tools. This transformation made scientific knowledge more accessible and appealing, supporting a deeper public understanding of natural processes and associated risks.

Within this framework, the Vesuvius Observatory of the Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), stands as an exemplary case. Founded in 1841 by King Ferdinand II of Bourbon, it is the world’s oldest volcano observatory. Its primary mission is the monitoring of the active volcanoes of the Neapolitan area through an advanced surveillance network. Its historic building on the western slope of Vesuvius also houses a museum that preserves valuable scientific and artistic collections, including early instruments, minerals, rocks, paintings, photographs, and films documenting volcanic eruptions. Permanent exhibitions and multimedia installations lead visitors through the history of Vesuvius and the origins of volcano monitoring, making the museum both a scientific archive and a tool for public education.

The Observatory also contributed to other cultural initiatives, such as the geological section of the Archaeological Museum of Villa Arbusto (Ischia, Naples). This exhibition presents rocks and fossils collected by archaeologist Giorgio Buchner and illustrates the close relationship among archaeology, volcanology and environmental studies on the island. Through panels, multimedia displays, and reconstructions of archaeological excavations, visitors explore the geological evolution of Ischia and its long interaction with human settlements, learning how natural forces shaped history and culture.

Another major achievement is the creation of the Museum of the Vesuvius National Park in Boscoreale (Naples). Conceived as one of the main cultural and tourist centers of the area, the museum combines science, environment, and heritage. Its exhibits—panels, dioramas, videos, and interactive installations—guide visitors through the volcanic processes that formed the landscape, its ecosystems, and the ways in which human civilizations used local resources.

By integrating scientific, historical, and cultural perspectives, these initiatives transform museums into permanent centers for education and volcanic risk mitigation, fostering public awareness, promoting respect for the environment, and contributing to a more informed and resilient society.