Turning the rumor of the May 11, 2011, earthquake prediction in Rome, Italy, into an information day on earthquake hazard

摘要

A devastating earthquake was predicted to hit Rome on May 11, 2011.This prediction was never officially released, but it grew on the internetand was amplified by the media. It was erroneously ascribed to RaffaeleBendandi, an Italian self-taught natural scientist who studied planetarymotions and related them to earthquakes. Indeed, around May 11, 2011,there was a planetary alignment, and this fed the credibility of theearthquake prediction. During the months preceding May 2011, theIstituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) was overwhelmedwith requests for information about this prediction, by the inhabitantsof Rome and by tourists. Given the echo of this earthquake prediction,on May 11, 2011, the INGV decided to organize an Open Day at itsheadquarters in Rome, to inform the public about Italian seismicity andearthquake physics. The Open Day was preceded by a press conferencetwo days before, to talk with journalists about this prediction, and topresent the Open Day. During this ‘Day’, 13 new videos were also postedon our YouTube/INGVterremoti channel to explain earthquakeprocesses and hazards, and to provide periodic updates on seismicity inItaly from the seismicity monitoring room. On May 11, 2011, the INGVheadquarters was peacefully invaded by over 3,000 visitors, from 10:00am to 9:00 pm: families, students with and without teachers, civilprotection groups, and many journalists. This initiative that was builtup in a few weeks has had very large feedback, and was a greatopportunity to talk with journalists and people about earthquakeprediction, and more in general about the seismic risk in Italy.