Nature on l'Aquila

The echoes of the l'Aquila case, rather disappearing, are becomen louder. Nature has just published a story on the case that may be of your interest

http://www.nature.com/news/l-aquila-verdict-row-grows-1.11683

Many voices have risen asking for joint letters and statements telling the Italian government about their mistake. "GSA should speak" "GeolSoc raise your voice"!.

They are wrong. Communications should be directed to the Italian population, not to their governors/rulers.Italy, like most of countries in Europe, is a democracy where the government and the justice are separated (thanks!), and primer minister don't have, or shouldn't have, a voice in what a judge decides is best.

For that reason, is the people who has to realised that something is very wrong when several scientist are sent to prison for doing their work, which is not looking into a glass ball and predict the future.

EGU short statement on L'Aquila case

The European Geosciences Union (EGU) has provided a brief statement on the L'Aquila case, as follows "

Scientists alarmed by verdict of Italian court The seismological community is deeply concerned about the L'Aquila verdict by an Italian court on 22 October 2012. The manslaughter conviction of six earthquake experts in Italy for failing to give adequate warning of the 2009 earthquake in the city of L'Aquila that killed over 300 people, has occupied the thoughts of large parts of our community. The consequences of this verdict for science in general, and for the exchange of information between scientists and policy-makers in particular, could be drastic. If scientists stop actively engaging with the public to demonstrate the importance of their work, if they refuse to work in hazard-evaluation panels, or if they are afraid of offering scientific advice to the best of their ability, the prime foundations of science – sharing and openly discussing research and increasing knowledge – are no longer met. There are many subtleties to the L'Aquila case, so that the case itself cannot be judged by most of us. Thus, to rather provide a constructive input on the discussion, the current status of earthquake prediction is summarised by scientists of the Seismology Division of EGU. Hannover, 23 October 2012, Charlotte Krawczyk

Source: EGU website 

Personally, I think this is a very complex issue and I won't discuss anything as I lack the legal and causitic ground about this specific case.

Fossil Rock Anthem

I know, is not structural geology... but it is funny. Enjoy this parody of "Party Rock Anthem" by LMFAO



Thanks to my friend José Lires who shared it in Facebook!

Streetural geology I: Normanton Rd fold belt

Perhaps we spend too much time observing structures, and then we extrapolate our observations to every day stuff.

Perhaps.

Or simply this is really just a miniature fold belt, made in the asphalt in my street! (...hence the name; "Normanton Road Fold Belt"). I'd happily make a cut in order to study the subsurface structure of this fold belt, but I don't think Croydon Council would like that.


What can you see? Can you see some pattern in the little folds? I think I can see that the folds have vergency consistent with the flank where they are, but probably I have to come back to check that out.

(Good news, I have more "Streetural" geology photos already made :) )