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Articles
6 February 2015

Earthquake ethics through scientific knowledge, historical memory and societal awareness: the experience of direct Internet information

Publication: Geological Society, London, Special Publications
Volume 419
Pages 103 - 110

Abstract

The collection of web data on the effects of earthquakes and the diffusion of this information to the public receive growing interest from Italian citizens. Since 2007, more than 650 000 intensity questionnaires, describing more than 7800 earthquakes were collected.
Two-way information exchange is important. Everybody records the local observed effects of earthquakes and then a global view can be obtained through the maps of the earthquakes that are generated in real-time. More than 23 000 permanent subscribers distributed throughout Italy are alerted in case of an earthquake, which reinforces participation. People are informed through e-mail, about events occurring in their area. The ‘alert’ service is a reminder that earthquakes are continuously present, but high magnitude events rarely occur.
Every person knows what an earthquake is and this brings fear and the idea of death and destruction. Often there is also a belief that earthquakes are very rare occurrences. This fact feeds refusal and repression. A strong earthquake immediately changes surprised feelings into shock and desperation. A positive approach should comprise the following: (1) a better knowledge of seismicity, (2) constant awareness of seismic activity, (3) an understanding of the meaning of the probability applied to seismicity and (4) a movement towards positive activities such as building reinforcements and earthquake simulation activities. Social and ethical implications need to find an equilibrium point between alarmism and the undervaluation of the hazard.

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Published In

cover image Geological Society, London, Special Publications
Geological Society, London, Special Publications
Volume 4192015
Pages: 103 - 110

History

Published: 2015
Published online: 6 February 2015

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Affiliations

Valerio de Rubeis* [email protected]
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Via di Vigna Murata, 605, Roma, RM, Italy
P. Sbarra
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Via di Vigna Murata, 605, Roma, RM, Italy
B. Sebaste
Independent writer, Roma, Italy
P. Tosi
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Via di Vigna Murata, 605, Roma, RM, Italy

Notes

*
Corresponding author (e-mail: [email protected])

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Citing Literature

  • Geoethics and Disaster a Geographical Approach, Global Challenges, 10.1007/978-3-031-60238-2_5, (155-206), (2024).
  • The Concept of Responsibility, Geoethics, 10.1007/978-3-030-98044-3_4, (31-47), (2022).
  • Contemporary Geoethics Within the Geosciences, Exploring Geoethics, 10.1007/978-3-030-12010-8_2, (25-70), (2019).

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