The paper concerns the possibility to use thermal remote sensing surveys for a reliable prediction of earthquakes. It is first shown the state of art of thermal precursors observations. The study affects moreover the theoretical models proposed in literature about thermal phenomena associated to earthquakes; a little paragraph is based on the difference between deterministic and probabilistic approach to earthquake precursors. A case history is quickly exposed with the results of some literature studies about the earthquake of L'Aquila (Italy), 6 th April 2009 and related thermal phenomena.
The main aim of this paper is to summarize the most significant factors that can influence the impact of a natural disaster on children and adolescents. First, the principal psychological approaches are synthesized. Literature offers four models to explain the impact of a natural disaster on individual functioning: (1) homeostatic model; (2) transactional model; (3) motivational perspective; (4) socio-cognitive theories. These models must be analysed together to better explain the effect of a natural disaster on the individual, family and social context. Starting with a definition of stress, we focused on the psychological processes involved and the specific effects on children's development. Several studies have found that unexpected and uncontrollable events can cause various physical and psychological problems in children and adolescents. We examined the relationship between the parents' reactions and their children's well being. In general, the family can represent a functional protector system, but it is necessity to provide psychological support to help individuals cope with the distress caused by unpredictable natural disasters. Specific social support must be provided to promote both individual and family resilience.
Seismic risk depends on both seismic hazard and vulnerability of exposed elements, and in this respect vulnerability is as important as the probability distribution of strong ground shaking from earthquakes in providing the necessary information to policy and decision-makers in order to prevent and mitigate the loss in lives and property. Nowadays, the estimation of vulnerability of buildings is performed mainly relying on accurate, complex models which have to be fed with large amounts of in-situ data and are thus generally capable of covering only a limited geographical scope. This paper describes the first steps towards the construction of a system for producing a zero-level estimation of vulnerability relying in principle on remotely sensed data only in order to untie the evaluation of the seismic vulnerability from the availability of in-situ data, which is extremely scarce and inhomogeneous if one looks at the problem in a global perspective. This is done in the framework of GEOSS (Global Earth Observation System of Systems) and perfectly in line with its objectives as set in the GEOSS 10-year plan.
