Trying to predict earthquakes

1999/10/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Geologia

The prediction of earthquakes will undoubtedly be the dream of many inhabitants and authorities from different territories.

Also from the European project PRENLAB. They are working in Iceland and, as has been known, on 27 and 29 October it was announced to the authorities that the earthquake would be "big". The announcement was repeated on November 10, when it was produced immediately would be 5th and if it occurred two months or later of 6th. Three days of earthquake from 5º to 2 km from the station in which the announcement was made. The technique has been based on the measurement of the relative delay of seismic waves, which before the earthquake changes.

Its measurement requires a complex network of seismometers, which has so far prevented a greater number of forecasts. However, the predictions made so far have been correct. On the other hand, although this technique allows measuring the same earthquake and its magnitude, it does not indicate exactly where it will occur.