The Possibility of Earthquake Prediction (broadcast Friday, July 11th, 2008)

Installation of a creepmeter near Parkfield, CA. USGS photo

Is it possible to predict earthquakes before they happen? An early warning system for seismic events has been a long-sought goal of geoscientists. Writing this week in the journal Nature, a team of researchers reports that they may have some encouraging results. The team used a suite of sensors to track the movement of seismic waves through the earth before, after, and during two minor quakes along the San Andreas fault. They found that there were changes in the ways the waves moved up to ten hours before a quake. The findings could potentially be used to create a 'stress monitor' that could help provide early warning of impending quakes. We'll talk with one of the scientists on the project about the work. Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.