On April 6, the seventh anniversary of the severe earthquake that devastated L’Aquila and its surroundings, Italy honored the memory of the 309 victims, who included over 50 university students.
This year’s observances emphasize prevention of future such tragedies, in a nation whose geological structure makes it particularly vulnerable. Young researchers working on quake prevention were given special awards in a ceremony April 5, held in the ultra-modern auditorium designed by famed architect Renzo Piano near the ancient city’s historical center and built after the quake. The aim of the April 5 ceremony was to “focus interest in the civil society and the institutions on what can be done to correct the situation or to do more in the future,” said Sergio Bianchi.
The sight of the destruction pictured. Photo courtesy of iitaly.
“We cannot forget that this year is also the 40th anniversary of the tragic earthquake in Friuli, in which almost 1,000 people died,” said Adriana Cavaglia, chief coordinator of the Civil Protection Commission of the National Council of Geologists. Immediately after the quake parents of the university students who had died at L’Aquila formed an association which sent volunteers into schools all over Italy to foster the new generation’s interest in the sciences, beginning with geology.
“It is true that there is little we can do to reduce the earthquake dangers our country faces,” Cavaglia emphasized. “But it is also true that it is possible to conduct a correct policy of prevention, through improvements in the seismic stability of our heritage of buildings, as well as providing sufficient information about natural phenomena, in so doing protecting human lives.”
