Clouds predict earthquakes
Look to the sky to predict earthquakes? Two Geophysicists believe this is possible. Guangmeng Guo and Bin Wang from Nanyang Normal University, China, have found cloud formations that match the fault lines of earthquakes before they occur.
One formation occurred in December 2004. Satellite images showed gaps in the clouds that precisely matched a fault line in southern Iran. Two months later, an earthquake struck in the exact area and 600 lives were lost.
Guo and Wang suggest that the appearance of the phenomena might be due to hot gases that rise up from the fault line ahead of time and evaporate the clouds. According to their evidence, Guo and Wang believe they might have a useful tool for prediction.
Full story and Comments
Add to Your Feed Reader
Sat 12 Apr 2008 at 11:32 am
A fascinating phenomenon… I’m presuming it can be seen from the ground as well as by a satellite. If this theory can be proven, it would certainly add to the story of local (folk) knowledge, in a “red sky at night, sailor’s delight” kind of way.
Sat 12 Apr 2008 at 1:21 pm
Agree with you re the folklore, but I’m not sure if these formations can be seen with the naked eye. From what I’ve read the sightings rely on remote sensing and other measurements. It would great to have photos of the satellite data.
Sat 12 Apr 2008 at 9:39 pm
Their line of inquiry is a valid one but they won’t get funded. Too much competition in the field and in any case China’s investing in other areas like aeronautics and marine biology.