Earthquake Prediction While geologists are constantly increasing man's understanding of his environment, it is amazing how little we really known about the internal mechanisms which govern our planet. In this age of technology, a feeling that man has somehow conquered the natural world often persists. However, in the face of cataclysmic forces of nature, we cower and cringe with the same fear which gripped our forefathers. Nowhere is this fact more evident, than in our knowledge of earthquakes. Geologists have attained such an understanding of the principles and dynamics which govern these events, that they are able to reproduce them through synthetic means. Billions of dollars have been spent to set up a global network of seismic centers, in order to measure earthquakes and determine their epicenters. But ironically, the most important question surrounding earthquakes remains a baffling mystery. When precisely will they occur? While we are able to pinpoint the epicenter of an earthquake occurring any where on the face of the globe, we can do little to predict this event. Until we unravel this mystery, man remains a captive of his environment. The answer to earthquake prediction may not lie in the study of subduction zones or plate tectonics. Moreover, man may need to humble himself and turn to animals, in order to utilize their protective instincts. Of all the nations in the world plagued by earthquakes, China has suffered a disproportionate share of burden in terms of loss of human life. Overcrowding and China's immense population have only served to amplify the damage caused by these seismic occurrences. For these reasons, it is no wonder that the Chinese allocate the most money and resources toward the study of earthquakes. Only relatively recently have we become aware that, China two decades ago suffered the greatest natural catastrophe in recorded history. Five hundred thousand people lost their lives in an earthquake, whose immense destruction was not disclosed, for political reasons, to the outside world until of late. Any catastrophe of this magnitude is inherently important, but this event carries extra significance because of what occurred a few days prior to the quake. It seems that two days before the quake animals sensed eminent danger, and began to flee the area. I do not believe that coincidence substantially explains this mass exodus. Moreover, reason leads us to believe that animals may possess a sixth sense, which is in some way linked to the internal mechanisms and forces of the earth. While it may seem unconventional, this sixth sense is the only clue we have in earthquake prediction. I believe in would be in our best interest try to harness this innate ability of animals to react to danger , if it in fact it actually exists. The only way we will be able to know if animals possess this sixth sense is to put it to the test. The first step would be to set up field observatories near areas characterized by hiqh levels of seismic activity such as subduction zones and faults. In these observatorles we would study mammals which proliferate around these areas. It is important that we make the observatories as close to the mammals' natural habitat as possible. Scientists would look for signs of this protective instinct, and trace any correlation between it and future quakes. If a direct correlation is made between the two, scientist can then move on to isolating what triggers this instinct. But in the meantime, the observatories can be used to warn human inhabitants of ensuing danger prior to earthquakes.
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