HOW TO TURN THE RUMOR OF THE MAY 11, 2011 EARTHQUAKE IN ROME (ITALY) IN TO A DAY OF INFORMATION ON EARTHQUAKES: THE OPEN DAY AT INGV

Abstract

A devastating earthquake has been predicted for May 11, 2011 in Rome. This prediction was erroneously ascribed to Raffaele Bendandi an Italian self-taught natural scientist of the last century. During the previous months, the INGV has been overwhelmed with requests for information about this presumed prediction by Roman inhabitants and tourists. Given the considerable mediatic impact of this expected earthquake, the INGV decided to organize an Open Day of its headquarters in Rome devoted to the public who wanted to learn more about the Italian seismicity and the earthquake as natural phenomenon. The Open Day was preceded by a press conference two days before, with the purpose to present the Open Day and to have a scientific discussion with the journalists about the earthquake prediction and Italian seismic risk assessment. About 40 journalists from newspapers, local and national tv's, press agencies and web news attended the Press Conference and hundreds of articles appeared the following days, advertising the 11 May Open Day.

The INGV opened to the public all day long with the following program: - meetings with INGV researchers to answer scientific questions - visiting to the room of seismic monitoring, open 24h/7 all year - guided tours through interactive exhibitions on earthquakes and Earth's magnetic field - 5 afternoon conferences on general topics from the social impact of rumors to seismic risk reduction - 13 new short videos on YouTube / INGVterremoti to explain the earthquake process and updates on various aspects of seismic monitoring room - distribution of books and brochures.

Surprisingly, we had about 3000 visitors up to 9 p.m.: families, school classes with and without teachers, civil protection groups, journalists. The initiative, built up in few weeks, had a very large feedback, also thanks to the media highlighting the presumed prediction.

We thank all the INGV colleagues who have made this initiative possible, in particular the Press Office, the educational and Outreach laboratory, the Graphics Laboratory and SissaMedialab.