Tag Archives: L’Aquila

L’Aquila earthquake manslaughter verdict reversed

Posted on November 11, 2014 by Chris Rowan

It should come as no surprise that I think that this is the right result: Six seismologists accused of misleading the public about the risk of an earthquake in Italy were cleared of manslaughter on 10 November. An appeals court … Continue reading →

Categories: earthquakes, public science, society

On the L’Aquila trial verdict: earthquake safety is about door locks, not fire alarms

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Chris Rowan

Imagine that one day, an apartment block in a major city catches fire. The fire brigade arrive too late, and the whole block burns down with people still trapped inside. An investigation reveals that the building’s fire alarm system was … Continue reading →

Categories: earthquakes, geohazards, public science, society

If you’re waiting for an earthquake warning, you’re doing it wrong

Posted on June 3, 2011 by Chris Rowan

The magnitude 6.3 earthquake that stuck central Italy near the city of L’Aquila in April 2009 killed more than 300 people, made tens of thousands more homeless, and caused billions of Euros’ worth of damage. No-one could have predicted exactly … Continue reading →

Categories: earthquakes, geohazards, public science, ranting, society