HIDDEN SIGNALS UNDER EARTH'S CRUST COULD HELP US PREDICT FUTURE QUAKES

Scientists say that, with the right forecasting, we could track major earthquakes years in advance

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Major earthquakes could be predicted months or even years before they strike by detecting unique seismic signals, according to new research from a team of German scientists.

The research, published in Nature Communications, suggests that, for more accurate earthquake warning systems, we need more local and regional sites to detect underground signals. It also advises that monitoring secondary faults after a primary fault ruptures could further increase the accuracy of readings.

The team studied data relating to the Kahramanmaraş earthquake that hit Turkey in early 2023, and found that there was an acceleration in seismic event rates and larger energy release roughly eight months before the tremor.