Part 1/14:
The Science and Sensitivity of Earthquake Research: A Deep Dive into Seismology
The Elusive Goal of Earthquake Prediction
Seismologists across the globe share a common dream: the ability to predict earthquakes accurately and give timely warnings to save lives. Despite technological advances, this remains an aspirational goal rather than a reality. The unpredictable nature of earthquakes—arising from deep below the Earth’s surface—complicates prediction efforts. Unlike weather phenomena such as cyclones or volcanic eruptions, which can often be observed on or near the surface, earthquakes originate from the movement of tectonic plates kilometers below, making their precursors difficult to detect.