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Q: How are seismologists able to make predictions about the likelihood of an earthquake?
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Can scientists correctly and accurately predict an earthquake?

Yes and no. Scientists (known as seismologists) tend to be able to suggest where earthquakes are likely to occur, however it is currently impossible for them to be able to say when. For example, seismologists had warned that a magnitude 7.0 or greater event was expected to occur on the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault system (which caused the very destructive earthquake which affected Haiti in January 2010) due to the accumulated strain that had built up along the fault zone, however they were not able to state exactly when it would occur. For more information please see the related question.


How can seismologists and other scientist predict earthquakes and protect people fro the damage caused by earthquakes?

They can't at the moment, at least not to the extent they would like. Seismologists want, more than anything, to be able to confidently announce: "There will be an earthquake of between 6.1 and 6.3 Richter occurring in Pleasant Valley within the next 48 hours." That's the ideal. Unfortunately, the technology is a long way from there yet. To paraphrase into the vernacular, the very best earthquake warning system we have at present would be to hear an annoucement that said: "There is somewhere between a pretty good chance and a really good chance there will be an earthquake of undetermined strength in the Pleasant Valley Area anywhere between today and nine months from now".


How are earthquakes predicted?

Seismologists prefer to attempt to quantify the risk posed by a particular fault zone rather than state exactly when an earthquake will occur (as this is currently impossible). In order to assess the risk of an earthquake posed by a given fault it is necessary to understand what causes earthquakes in the first place. In simple terms they are caused by a build up of deformation in the Earth's crust which stores energy. When the stress becomes too large, exceeding the strength of the rock, the fault zone suddenly slips and all the energy is released in one instant in the form of an earthquake. As such, seismologists will attempt to measure the movement of the crust around a fault zone to estimate the total strain that has accumulated. This measurement is often made using high precision GPS to measure relative positions of surface features around the fault zone. They may also use terrestrial laser scanning equipment which can measure changes in the ground shape (recording deformation) or by using a special form of radar and a technique called synthetic aperture radar interferometry (InSAR for short). This process essentially involves the use of a radar to create a series of very accurate relief maps of the ground surface over time and then to compare the maps to create a final plot showing the changes between them which is a record of the land surface deformation. They may also use strain gauges and tilt metres within boreholes to observe ground deformations as well as a technology known as time domain reflectometry which is an electrical technique used to locate damage and deformation in electrical cables and which in turn can be used to measure subsurface deformations. Using this information and an estimate of the strength of the rock mass, seismologists will attempt to quantify the likely risk of occurrence of an earthquake on that fault zone. For example, seismologists had warned that a magnitude 7.0 or greater event was expected to occur on the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault system (which caused the very destructive earthquake which affected Haiti in January 2010) due to the accumulated strain that had built up, however they were not able to state exactly when it would occur.


Do seismographs monitor earthquakes?

Scientists use seismographs to monitor earthquakes. Though, a seismograph merely registers an earthquake. By using at least three seismograph stations, and using triangulation, the epicentre of the earthquake is able to be plotted.


How do Global Positioning Systems help predict earthquakes?

They don't and can't. Meteorologists predict the weather, which is not related to earthquakes. Seismologists predict earthquakes, but mostly only in general terms, such as "30% chance of a magnitude 6 or greater earthquake on this section of this fault within the next 30 years."

Related questions

What are short-term predictions of earthquake behavior?

Short term predictions of earthquake behaviour or even earthquake predictions in general have not occured yet. Many even question if earthquakes will ever be able to be predicted. Even the earthquakes that have supposedly been predicted correctly have controversy behind the method


Can anybody predict earthquakes?

No. Although seismologists are able to provide a risk assessment of a fault zone saying how likely it is that an earthquake will occur and how large it may be, but are not able to state exactly when it will happen. For more information, please see the related question.


Can scientist predict earthquakes?

Earthquake prediction is currently not possible, as such, seismologists will attempt to quantify the risk posed by a particular fault zone rather than state exactly when an earthquake will occur. For more information, please see the related question.


Do seismologists go to where earthquakes happen?

Usually they do not have to as their instruments and computers can tell them about any earthquake anywhere in the world in minutes of when it happened. But for certain faults they feel deserve special study, they do there to place special instruments that measure things that would not normally be able to be measured.


Can scientists correctly and accurately predict an earthquake?

Yes and no. Scientists (known as seismologists) tend to be able to suggest where earthquakes are likely to occur, however it is currently impossible for them to be able to say when. For example, seismologists had warned that a magnitude 7.0 or greater event was expected to occur on the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault system (which caused the very destructive earthquake which affected Haiti in January 2010) due to the accumulated strain that had built up along the fault zone, however they were not able to state exactly when it would occur. For more information please see the related question.


Can darkrai learn earthquake?

No, Darkrai is not able to learn Earthquake.


How can seismologists and other scientist predict earthquakes and protect people fro the damage caused by earthquakes?

They can't at the moment, at least not to the extent they would like. Seismologists want, more than anything, to be able to confidently announce: "There will be an earthquake of between 6.1 and 6.3 Richter occurring in Pleasant Valley within the next 48 hours." That's the ideal. Unfortunately, the technology is a long way from there yet. To paraphrase into the vernacular, the very best earthquake warning system we have at present would be to hear an annoucement that said: "There is somewhere between a pretty good chance and a really good chance there will be an earthquake of undetermined strength in the Pleasant Valley Area anywhere between today and nine months from now".


Can Gallade learn earthquake?

Yes, Gallade is able to learn Earthquake through the use of the Earthquake TM.


What level does grotle learn earthquake?

Grotle is not able to learn the move Earthquake by leveling or by TMs. It's evolved form Torterra is able to learn Earthquake at level 32.


What is a sentence for the word likelihood?

The likelihood of North Korea apologising for their actions is about the same as sheep growing wings and flying off to Mars.There is a high likelihood that you are suffering from Lackofteaosis.She said the likelihood that we have bacon for lunch was slim. She lied.


What is the study of earthquakes?

Some geologists specialize as geophysicists, who study the physical properties and processes of the Earth. This field includes seismology, or the study of earthquakes. A person who studies earthquakes is called a seismologist.


A building able to stand up against an earthquake is considered to be?

seismic-safe it is cosidered to be "earthquake proof".