In 2009 a deadly earthquake hit the Italian town of L’Aquila, leaving 300 dead. Now an Italian judge has sentenced seven of Italy’s top seismologists to six years each in jail for for manslaughter, because they failed to provide adequate warning of the quake.

The trial has sent shockwaves through the scientific community around the globe. Seismology is far from an exact science, and Italy is located on a geologically active area. It is feared the conviction will discourage scientists involved in the prediction of natural disasters to give their opinions in the future.