Extent of predicting earthquakes

Question 1

yes they can predict earthquakes

Answer 1

• foreshocks (mini earthquakes) can be measured as occur just before a major earthquake
• radon gas decreases in ground water prior to earthquake before sharply increasing causing rock to fracture
• rise in groundwater levels in wells due to crustal deformation has been detected e.g. Kobe 1995

Question 2

no they cannot predict earthquakes

Answer 2

• many occasions where foreshocks aren’t followed by major earthquakes
• rock type is different in all locations
• some places e.g. Hawaii don’t have technology to detect radon gas
• not all rocks in earthquakes are porous=not a universal technique to measure groundwater levels

Question 3

earthquake proof building design

Answer 3

• reinforced walls with diagonal steel beams

- base isolator acts to absorb shocks