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NASA Scientists Explore Earthquake Prediction System
Scientists say they’ve found potential atmospheric predictors of earthquakes. Now, NASA and U.K. researchers are investigating a space-based earthquake warning system.
30-Second Summary
Electrical disturbances in the earth’s atmosphere could be used to predict earthquakes.
After studying more than 100 earthquakes that struck Taiwan over several decades, researchers concluded that nearly all of those up to about 35 kilometers deep were preceded by electrical changes in the atmosphere.
More recently, the scientists say they detected such disturbances days before a major earthquake hit China.
NASA and U.K.-based scientists are working together to investigate the possibility of a satellite-based earthquake warning system.
Although some experts strongly question whether the atmosphere can really foreshadow an earthquake, those who believe there’s some legitimacy to the theory say it requires more research.
Short-term earthquake prediction is generally difficult at best, says seismologist Lucile Jones. Scientists can usually predict where a quake may occur, but when it will happen and how severe it will be are harder to estimate. Long-term prediction is simpler because scientists can review historic information about an area.
Regardless of how difficult earthquake prediction has been over the years, scientists contend that any type of earthquake warning could save thousands of lives.
After studying more than 100 earthquakes that struck Taiwan over several decades, researchers concluded that nearly all of those up to about 35 kilometers deep were preceded by electrical changes in the atmosphere.
More recently, the scientists say they detected such disturbances days before a major earthquake hit China.
NASA and U.K.-based scientists are working together to investigate the possibility of a satellite-based earthquake warning system.
Although some experts strongly question whether the atmosphere can really foreshadow an earthquake, those who believe there’s some legitimacy to the theory say it requires more research.
Short-term earthquake prediction is generally difficult at best, says seismologist Lucile Jones. Scientists can usually predict where a quake may occur, but when it will happen and how severe it will be are harder to estimate. Long-term prediction is simpler because scientists can review historic information about an area.
Regardless of how difficult earthquake prediction has been over the years, scientists contend that any type of earthquake warning could save thousands of lives.
Headline Link: Looking for earthquake clues
As researchers continue examining the possibility that the atmosphere could help forecast an impending earthquake, one scientist said, “I am cautiously optimistic that we have good scientific date, and we are designing a series of experiments to verify our data.”
Source: BBC News
Opinion & Analysis: Earthquake prediction
Seismologist Lucile Jones said scientists could perhaps improve their earthquake prediction abilities with additional funding. The U.S. Geological Survey receives $50 million in annual government funding for earthquake research and monitoring for the entire country. Not adjusted for inflation, that amount hasn’t changed since 1990.
Source: Xinhua
The U.S. Geological Survey, the Southern California Earthquake Center and the California Geological Survey recently analyzed new data about California’s earthquakes and the probability of a major event occurring there. The groups believe the state is “basically guaranteed” a large earthquake within the next 30 years.
Source: findingDulcinea
Related Topics: Assessing China's earthquake response
Following a heavy death toll from the magnitude 7.9 earthquake that recently hit China’s Sichuan province, international observers are analyzing the country’s handling of the crisis.
Source: findingDulcinea
Reference: What cause earthquakes?
The earthquake is one of the more perilous and baffling natural phenomena in the world. FindingDulcinea’s Netcetera examines the science behind the earthquake and its various effects in history.
Source: findingDulcinea
The pulling apart and collision of tectonic plates under the earth’s surface cause earthquakes. Learn more about plate tectonics and earthquakes from MSNBC’s interactive feature, “What Causes Earthquakes?”
Source: MSNBC
Earthquake vibrations are recorded by instruments called seismographs. The magnitude of an earthquake is measured on the Richter scale. The smallest earthquake people can generally feel is a magnitude 2. Earthquakes measuring a magnitude 6 or more are usually considered major earthquakes.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey
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