Seismologists Tried for Manslaughter for Not Predicting Earthquake

[The Northerner]

Earthquake prediction can be a grave, and faulty science, and in the case of Italian seismologists who are being tried for the manslaughter of the people who died in the 2009 L'Aquila quake, it can have legal consequences.

The group of seven, including six seismologists and a government official, reportedly didn't alert the public ahead of time of the risk of the L'Aquila earthquake, which occurred on April 6 of that year, killing around 300 people, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

But most scientists would agree it's not their fault they couldn't predict the wrath of Mother Nature.

"We're not able to predict earthquakes very well at all," John Vidale, a Washington State seismologist and professor at the University of Washington, told LiveScience.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20110526/sc_livescience/seismologiststriedformanslaughterfornotpredictingearthquake

[Liberal_in_LA]

1. sounds like an 'Onion' story

[customerserviceguy]

2. Well, first there's trying Amanda Knox's parents

for a crime in criticizing the Italian police, now this.

Italy has a long way to go to show that it belongs to the part of the world that consists of civilized nations. I would expect this sort of BS from Islamic 'republics'.

[Make7]

3. Perhaps God should also be on trial for this... ( n/t )

[Overseas]

4. Interesting story.

Could we prosecute those who have ignored scientific warnings too? Somehow they weasel out of it.

[Forkboy]

5. They'll be arresting weathermen next.

:crazy: