Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia Oct 22, 2012 Press release on the L’Aquila sentence INGV expresses its deep concern for the initial judgment at the L’Aquila trail, that convicts the members of the Commissione Grandi Rischi (CGR), the vice director of Civil Protection Department (DPC), the director of the Seismic Risk Office of the DPC, and the Director of the INGV National Earthquake Center in 2009. Our thoughts go once again to the earthquake victims and their relatives: we know that no sentence could never act to compensate for the loved ones, lost in this disaster. However, it is important to stress that this sentence sets a precedent that could affect dramatically the relationship between scientists and decision makers, not only in our country but also worldwide. The conviction of L’Aquila is likely to compromise the right/duty of scientists to take part in the public debate through the communication of research outside of the scientific context, in fear of being convicted. Which scientist will express her/his opinion being consciously aware he/she could go to jail for doing so? Italy is one of the most seismically active regions of the world, where tens of earthquakes occur every day, most of which are not felt by people. This seismic activity is continuously monitored by INGV 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Based on historical data and results of scientific research, INGV has published an up-to-date seismic hazard map which is an important tool of knowledge and prevention in earthquake science. According to the international scientific literature, it is impossible to deterministically predict an earthquake. For this reason, asking INGV to indicate how, when and where the next earthquake will strike is not only useless but also wrong because it feeds, in an unjustified way, the expectations of people living in earthquake prone areas. The most effective actions for seismic risk reduction are prevention, information, and education, where scientific institutions, Civil Protection, and local authorities play their specific roles, coordinating among them. Therefore, INGV collaborates with the DPC and the Commissione Grandi Rischi (the consultant body of DPC), carrying out its activity in scientific information dissemination, education and prevention, every day of the year and during seismic crises. This is what happened in the tragic case of L’Aquila earthquake, and what happens every day throughout our country, where the seismic risk is high in many areas. But prevention actions include, first of all, the reduction of vulnerability for old and weak buildings. After today, it will be very difficult to appear in public to speak about the ongoing seismic activity, with the risk that scientists are prosecuted for omissions or false alarms. We are profoundly shocked by the L’Aquila sentence, because it risks to undermine the foundations of scientific research: the freedom of investigation, open and transparent discussion, sharing of results, all of which are essential factors in scientific progress. Convincing science means leaving open space to false prophets and boasters pretending to predict earthquakes, renouncing the contribution of scientists. Although it is a terrible blow, INGV will go on with its research work with the highest dedication and strengthening its presence in the society with a correct information and education.