Predicting Earthquakes

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04/10/2009

Apr. 10, 2009

Predicting Earthquakes

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Is it possible to predict earthquakes? While one researcher says radon readings gave early clues to the recent quake in Italy, other earthquake experts aren't so sure.

Last week, Giampaolo Giuliani told the mayor of the town of Sulmona, Italy, that the town was 24 hours from a major quake. Though no quake arrived, several days later a major quake, measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale, struck near the town of L’aquila, about 35 miles away. But was Giuliani's prediction accurate, or just coincidence? Other researchers have looked for connections between radon levels and earthquakes before, with no results. We'll talk about research into earthquake prediction.

Produced by Christopher Intagliata, Associate Senior Producer

Guests

Susan Hough
Scientist-in-Charge, Pasadena Office

U.S. Geological Survey

Pasadena, California

Apr. 10, 2009