The Geology Project and the 2019-2020 Puerto Rico Seismic Sequence: Science Communication Techniques, Challenges, and Lessons Learned

Abstract:

The Geology Project (TGP) is a Spanish/English bilingual science communication group that uses social media to increase geoscience literacy in Puerto Rico and other Spanish-speaking communities. TGP focuses on creating short, accessible videos, supported by text or photo-centered posts, often in collaboration with other students and early career geoscientists. However, during the height of the 2019-2020 Puerto Rico seismic sequence, TGP branched into longer videos that documented the physical and historical context of the geological events, offered in-person presentations, field trips, translated official communications, and answered questions in Facebook and other social media comment sections. We discuss the importance of place- and identity-based knowledge in science communication, the benefits and challenges of being flexible in your techniques and expectations, and specific ways in which science communicators and official scientific agencies can support one another, particularly in times of crisis.