Publication Date:
2017-04-04
Description:
A devastating earthquake was predicted to hit Rome on May 11, 2011.
This prediction was never officially released, but it grew on the internet
and was amplified by the media. It was erroneously ascribed to Raffaele
Bendandi, an Italian self-taught natural scientist who studied planetary
motions and related them to earthquakes. Indeed, around May 11, 2011,
there was a planetary alignment, and this fed the credibility of the
earthquake prediction. During the months preceding May 2011, the
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) was overwhelmed
with requests for information about this prediction, by the inhabitants
of Rome and by tourists. Given the echo of this earthquake prediction,
on May 11, 2011, the INGV decided to organize an Open Day at its
headquarters in Rome, to inform the public about Italian seismicity and
earthquake physics. The Open Day was preceded by a press conference
two days before, to talk with journalists about this prediction, and to
present the Open Day. During this ‘Day’, 13 new videos were also posted
on our YouTube/INGVterremoti channel to explain earthquake
processes and hazards, and to provide periodic updates on seismicity in
Italy from the seismicity monitoring room. On May 11, 2011, the INGV
headquarters was peacefully invaded by over 3,000 visitors, from 10:00
am to 9:00 pm: families, students with and without teachers, civil
protection groups, and many journalists. This initiative that was built
up in a few weeks has had very large feedback, and was a great
opportunity to talk with journalists and people about earthquake
prediction, and more in general about the seismic risk in Italy.
Description:
Published
Description:
413-420
Description:
5.9. Formazione e informazione
Description:
JCR Journal
Description:
open
Keywords:
Seismic hazard
;
Education and outreach
;
Seismic risk reduction
;
05. General::05.03. Educational, History of Science, Public Issues::05.03.99. General or miscellaneous
Repository Name:
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV)
Type:
article
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