Earthquakes are difficult to predict due to movement deep within the Earth's crust. Scientists study past earthquake data and use technologies like satellites and seismographs to monitor ground movement and temperature changes in order to make rough predictions about earthquake risks. The most at-risk areas tend to be near tectonic plate boundaries, especially around the Pacific Ocean where many of the largest earthquakes occur.

1. By: Carli Cosenza

2. What have you learned about earthquakes and earthquake prediction? We have learned that earthquakes are very deadly and destructive natural disasters that are extremely hard to predict. They occur all over the world. Earthquake’s strengths are determined on a scale from 0-10 called the Richter scale. They generally have to be around a 7.0 to be felt. Earth’s crust is continuously forming and deforming and pushed and pulled. Enough strain builds up on the crust and it is released causing wild shakes, an earthquake occurs. Earthquake prediction is improving today. While it seems like earthquakes seem to strike suddenly, scientists are trying to develop new technologies that can help detect them sooner. At the moment, scientists are unable to develop the exact location, time, or strength of earthquakes, but based on plate boundaries and past earthquakes, they can make rough predictions on what places are in danger. Scientists are developing methods using different types of satellites such as the Interferometric-Synthetic Aperture Radar, which takes pictures of tectonic plates from space to detect ground movement, and infrared radiation, which detect spikes in ground temperature. They are also using seismographs which are instruments that measure ground movements along with seismic waves.

3. Where on Earth do most of the really big earthquakes strike? Most large earthquakes occur along the edge of the oceanic and continental plates. “Stress and Strains” with crust that is broken down into plates causes movements of these plates. Earthquakes occur along plate boundaries and their faults. The more specific locations of these dreadful earthquakes are near or along the Pacific Ocean. Some examples are California, Japan, and Chile.

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5. What factors influence earthquake prediction? Scientists study the past earthquake intensities and they use this data to help predict what the earthquakes will be like in the location again. However, the movement of our Earths crust is so deep inside, it is difficult for scientists to know when exactly an earthquake is going to occur. However, scientists can use past data to help predict these earthquakes. They also use satellites. Changes in ground motion at the surface can be detected by using satellites. It can see slow ground movement as small as 1mm/year. This satellite helps scientist determine where areas of high strain are building up. Also, Scientists look for surges in Infrared radiation. Some earthquakes occur when ground temperatures increase, and thermal detectors sense this change. Overall, past earthquakes, ground movement, and temperature spike influence earthquake predictions. Seismographs also help influence earthquake prediction. They measure ground movements along with seismic waves.

6. #1 (Southern Alaska)- This has had many earthquakes in the past year, which could have been foreshocks that will lead up to a bigger earthquake.

7. Area #2 (California) - This area has had many earthquakes in the past year, as well as a few big ones.

8. Area #3 (Northern Latin America) - This area has had MANY earthquakes in the past year, it is almost completely covered with earthquake data.

9. Area #4 (Western Latin America) : The west side of Latin America is completely covered with data from earthquakes from last year.

10. Area #5 (Above Africa): This area had MANY earthquakes last year, which means that it is probably having lots of foreshocks, which may lead up to a huge earthquake soon.

11. Area #6 (Southwestern Africa): This area had a few earthquakes in the past year, and the number of earthquakes will probably increase soon, which will probably lead up to another big earthquake.

12. Area #7 (Central Asia): This area had many earthquakes last year and also, it appears to have had a few major earthquakes, which means that it is an area that gets lots of earthquakes.

13. Area #8 (Pacific Ocean): This area is almost completely covered with earthquake data from last year. A big earthquake should probably occur soon if these earthquakes are foreshocks.

14. Area #9 (Western Australia): This area had a reasonable amount of earthquakes last year. I think that the earthquakes will gradually increase every year, and Australia will eventually get a giant earthquake.

15. Area #10 (Eastern Asia): This area appears to have had a huge amount of earthquakes last year. They are probably building up to a big earthquake that will happen soon.

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