Natural disasters such as the eruption of the volcano in Iceland or the oil spill on the Gulf coast last year make us seriously consider the fragility of human strength against nature.

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CANTANIA, Italy (CNN) -- There is no way to stop Europe's highest volcano from erupting, but technology is increasingly helping scientists to prevent natural disasters becoming human tragedies.

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In a country where natural disasters are so common, the authorities' main problem is often not the volcano, earthquake or typhoon, but the popular belief that when your number is up, your number is up.

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Among others, Geoparks can contribute to awareness-raising about various geological dangers (such as volcano eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides etc.) and prepare strategies mitigating and managing disasters together with local authorities.

UNESCO: Global Geoparks Network