Abstract

LEARNING NATURAL RISK PREVENTION USING VIRTUAL REALITY

Global warming produces highly destructive natural phenomena, avalanches, alluvium, extreme cold, change of the hydrological cycle and its impact on agriculture, etc. Governments have plans for disaster risk reduction through learning campaigns. However, people continue to develop risky activities in vulnerable areas. On the other hand, survivors of tragedies produced by natural phenomena are more cautious and alert to any alarm signal before a phenomenon, this is explained by the learning developed after the traumatic event that helps them to be attentive. This study proposes the immersion of people in a virtual disaster to learn and develop the similar alert capabilities as a survivor. A debris flow is simulated, and the user should find a safe place, otherwise he will lose. The user tries again until he become alert, and he move away from the disaster area. A qualitative evaluation shows an improvement in learning about natural hazards and protection actions, it is also commented virtual reality as a more attractive learning experience compared to traditional methods.