Earthquakes and tsunamis are natural hazards that cause considerable loss of life, destruction of property and infrastructure, and economic damage. A key challenge for organizations that manage hazard preparedness and response is mobilizing earthquake preparedness among individuals and families, particularly in areas of significant earthquake and tsunami risk. This dissertation provides an examination of individual earthquake and tsunami preparedness from both a global and regional perspective. It comprises two publications that explore various aspects of disaster preparedness.

The first chapter presents a systemic literature review of 49 articles published between 2010-2020, identifying the prominent social-cognitive and demographic dimensions that promote or inhibit individual earthquake preparedness actions. The review highlighted critical motivating factors for individuals to take preparedness actions, including the significance of social connections, networks, and interactions; self-efficacy; personal responsibility and preparedness knowledge; and moderate worry or concern. Measures promoting self-efficacy, psychological skills, and social interaction show promise as effective strategies for enhancing individual earthquake preparedness and fostering community resilience.

The second chapter employs a grounded theory approach to develop a model that explains the process of building tsunami and earthquake preparedness among individuals residing in coastal communities of Oregon. While the motivations and obstacles reported by the study participants align with previous research, the findings highlight that the development of preparedness occurs incrementally, with individuals cycling between motivations and barriers as they undertake preparedness actions. The resultant theoretical model demonstrates the crucial role of social connections at every stage of the process. Several outcomes emerged from the model, including a culture of preparedness integrated into daily life, a state of readiness, and confidence in surviving earthquakes and tsunamis.

The objective of this dissertation is to contribute to the broader understanding of the interconnected factors involved in establishing preparedness and identify specific areas that warrant attention in future preparedness campaigns with similar dual earthquake and tsunami hazards.