Residents' information seeking behavior and protective action for earthquake hazards in The Portland Oregon Metropolitan Area.

This article focuses on examining how information seeking influences household seismic hazard preparedness, using the Protective Action Decision Model (PADM) as a theoretical framework. Based on survey responses from approximately 400 households in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area, the study finds that information seeking behavior is the strongest predictor of both past and intended earthquake preparedness actions, alongside risk perception and affective responses. Contrary to expectations, residence in high-risk seismic zones and prior earthquake experience showed little correlation with information seeking or preparedness behaviors, possibly due to limited hazard experience and sample homogeneity. The authors emphasize the need for longitudinal research to clarify causal relationships between information seeking, intentions, and actual protective actions, and recommend improving risk communication strategies by enhancing accessibility and personalization of hazard information.