EUROPEAN GEOPARKS NETWORK
L’ Aquila
April 7, 2009
European Geopark people are shocked by the devastating Earthquake 6.3 on the Richter scale that hit central Italy at 1:32 G.M.T on Monday 6 April 2009, killed more than 250 people, including children, and left tens of thousands displaced.
Especially at this moment of pain and agony, we all think and pray for the victims and the people of L’
We think and pray for the despair trapped people that are still waiting for rescue workers to pull them out.
We think of the rescue corps fighting against time, trying to rescue people from collapsed homes, including a student dormitory where students remaining trapped inside!
Geopark people are always sensitive on natural disasters created by the internal forces of our planet, but as in most cases happens also this time the victims pay for human decisions and mistakes.
Close to the point at which Eurasian and African plates meet along a line which runs through North Africa and crosses the Mediterranean near southern Italy and Greece, Italy’s landscape and history have been defined by its geology.
As a result two main fault lines cut across the Italian peninsula, one running north-south along the spine of the Apennine mountains and another crossing east-west south of Rome and north of Naples.
In front of this tragedy all Geopark people all over
· We have a duty to find ways to help and to sensitise our communities on Natural Hazards.
· We can use the opportunity of the European Geoparks Week 2009 to organize events and activities to sensitise our communities on Natural Disasters.
Just a few days after our visit in this wonderful country that generously offered to all of us the pleasure to experience parts of it’s rich geological and cultural heritage, a unique mix of spirit of location and people, a warm hospitality and a friendly atmosphere our thoughts and our heart is with the Italian friends and the people of Central Italy!
For the European Geoparks Network
Nickolas Zouros
EGN Coordinator
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