MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Italian seismic experts sentenced to jail for inadequate warning triggers global controversy
Six scientists and a government official were sentenced to six years in prison for manslaughter by an Italian court on Monday for failing to give adequate warning of an earthquake that killed more than 300 people in L'Aquila in 2009. Read full article
Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesThis is lunacy.
Oct 24th, 2012 - 01:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0We can’t predict earthquakes with any precision.
I hope this judgement is overturned.
The argument FOR the conviction that was in **Scientific** American the other day was pants. It turned on the idea that it was the scientists job to convey the risk. It takes two to tango in this case. You need a population who is versed in the language of hazards risk which just isn't there, even when the people live in towns that for centuries have been hit with quakes, hurricanes, floods, etc. I've pounded my head against the wall repeatedly trying to explain that the chance of a 50-year-return flood happening the year after a 50-year-return flood is exactly the same as it was the previous year without the can being kicked down the road for another half century and it's like talking the aforementioned wall. This is no different. Same goes for coastal vulnerabilities to hurricanes/cyclones, flood plains etc. There will always people living on knifeedges who care only for the view and nothing for the big sharpie thing under their feet.
Oct 24th, 2012 - 04:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I am a scientist.
Oct 24th, 2012 - 05:39 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I predict a Richter 6.8 at 42.01N, 12.60E will happen at 07.36 on 03/11/2012.
I have calculated an 27% Degree of Certainty.
Please tell me you will not sue me if it does not happen ..... or ... will you give me a medal if it does?
Justice = Italian comic opera!
Oct 25th, 2012 - 05:46 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Clearly these poor guys didn't have the money to drag this out forever like Berlusconi...
Nov 01st, 2012 - 01:34 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Commenting for this story is now closed.
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