Prediction of Earthquakes

The science of predicting the time, place, and magnitude of an earthquake is still in its infancy (100). Although some major earthquakes have been presaged by foreshocks, changes in groundwater and geothermal activity, and even animal behavior, most major earthquakes have occurred suddenly and without warning. Nevertheless, the theoretical possibility of routine earthquake prediction remains, and if everybody was warned in time and evacuated their buildings, then very few people should be killed by building collapse. Thus, earthquake prediction certainly holds out the possibility of highly effective casualty prevention in the future (101).