With more than 600 thousand visitors since 2008, o “Enceladus” seismic simulator and the seismic bank installed in the Museum of Natural History of Crete, University of Crete, are one of the main factors in familiarizing visitors with seismic phenomena, but also an experience that could significantly help to better manage fear and improve resilience against such risks. The “Enceladus” seismic simulator is a specially designed space at the University of Crete’s MFIK, which hosts one of the most modern seismic banks in Europe, as well as informative material about seismic risk and the accompanying results. It was established with the support of the Region of Crete and with the aim “to communicate openly, with honesty and scientific methodology about the various natural hazards that threaten us, such as earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions” as Dr. Charalambos Fassoulas told APE-MPE , EDIP University of Crete and Superintendent of Geological Collections MFIK-Pan. Crete.

“Our bank is 2.5 degrees of freedom, meaning it offers realistic movement in all three dimensions. It has an area of ​​12 square meters and has been configured to simulate a school hall that can accommodate 14 people. It has the ability to realistically reproduce any earthquake in a completely safe environment” said Mr. Fasoulas, adding that the museum has designed together with the OASP a special educational program that includes video projections and a 10-minute earthquake simulation in Greek and English language, which provides information on the seismic risk as well as measures to prevent, protect and deal with the risk.

To date, the seismic simulator program has been viewed by over 600,000 visitors. These are both Greek and foreign visitors to the island, in roughly equal proportions, while the same applies to the categories of adults and children.

“All schools that visit the museum, either as part of attending regular educational programs or as part of a simple guided tour, participate in the seismic simulator program free of charge. On a daily basis and every hour, participation in the simulator program is provided free of charge to all visitors, while if the participation is large, it is repeated as many times as necessary” said Mr. Fassoulas, pointing out that many of the young visitors, as well as the adults, have repeatedly attended the educational program, with the seismic simulator as he pointed out, being according to Trip Advisor, the best exhibit of the MFIK (Best attraction).

“The seismic bank has a database of many artificial and real earthquakes. Artificial earthquakes help the world understand the different parameters that affect the intensity of the phenomenon and consequently the results of an earthquake, such as the distance from the epicenter, the type of foundation rock, and even the floor in an apartment building. The real earthquakes include many of the most important and relatively recent earthquakes from around the world such as Kobe, Japan, Chi-Chi, Taiwan, or Tohoku in 2011, but also Greece, such as the Athens earthquake in 1999,” he said. the Superintendent of Geological Collections MFIK-Pan. of Crete, who pointed out that “the educational program aimed at the whole public simulates only some, relatively intense and not the most powerful ones like in 2011 in Japan or Athens. These are usually used in the case of special events organized by the MFIK from time to time (such as nights at the Museum) or for the training of Civil Protection volunteer groups” and that “all visitors want to experience the experience of a strong earthquake which, among other things, will help them to realize how important it is to take the necessary protection measures, especially during the manifestation of the phenomenon”.

Regarding the visitation of local visitors according to Mr. Fasoulas, after the earthquake in Arkalochori on September 27, 2021, it became more intense.

“This always happens after a strong earthquake and it makes perfect sense, because people want to be more informed and gain more experience in managing the fear that naturally follows such a phenomenon but also in better understanding it. Usually, in such cases, schools’ preference for the earthquake information programs we offer also increases,” he said, adding that to deal with any catastrophic phenomenon, the best solution is prevention and proper preparation.

“In countries like Greece, this should be taught in all schools, especially in elementary and high school, so that at some point we will have an informed and more secure citizenry and therefore a country. Visiting corresponding simulators, of which so far there are only 2 in our country, is necessary to be able to reduce our vulnerability to this risk, to get to know better the protection measures before, during and after the earthquake, to understand the relationship earthquakes and tsunamis which are also a major risk in our country and to better manage any feelings of fear or panic that are reasonable to possess. Watching such programs helps to fully understand and implement the reactions that we need to make, especially during the phenomenon, so that they become unconscious and automatic (since due to the intensity of the moments, cool thoughts are difficult to do) and so to reduce our panic” concluded Mr. Fasoulas.