Earthquake Predictors

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the causes and predictors of earthquakes in the earth's surface. It discusses various factors and examines which of the factors act as the most reliable predictor of earthquakes. The paper then looks at how to measure earthquake strength and particularly discusses the advantages of the Richter scale and the Mercalli scale.

Table of Contents:
Earthquake Causes and Predictors
The Most Reliable Predictor of Earthquakes
Measuring Earthquake Strength

From the Paper:

"If the concern is strictly over the amount of damage a quake can cause, and that is truly the goal of early prediction of earthquakes, then the Mercalli scale would be more effective. Unfortunately, this data is only available after the fact. A consistent Mercalli reading over time can provide a more effective means of protecting against an earthquake, or against damage to humanity. The magnitude of the quake provided by the Richter scale is more effective in building up over time recordings of the occurrence of major quakes for the sake of data and catastrophic protection."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "Earthquakes, a Trembling Introduction." 2007: http://www.usfca.edu/classes/AuthEd/Earthquakes/intro/earthquakes!.htm
• Freund, Friedemann, and Takeuchi, Akihiro and Lau, Bobby. "Electric Currents Streaming Out of Pre-igneous rocks. A step towards understanding pre-earthquake emissions." 2007: http://solar-center.stanford.edu/SID/educators/FF_PhysChemEarth_Understanding.pdf
• Spall, Henry. "Charles Richter--An Interview." 2007: http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/seismology/people/int_richter.html
• What Do Earthquake "Magnitude" and "Intensity" Mean?" 2007: http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/earthq3/magnitude.html
• Zarco, Ricardo and Nicolas, Jose Tiburcio and Aguja, Mario and Daag, Arturo and Ringor, Anabelle. "Quantifying Spatial and Temporal Dimensions of Premonitory Animal Behavior of the July 16, 1990 Luzon Earthquake." 2007: http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/Earthquake/1990LuzonEQ_Monograph/pp181/pp181.html

More papers on Earthquake Predictors:

• Term Paper # 122870 : "Earthquake in Japan"
• Research Paper # 105663 : "The Northridge Earthquake"
• Research Paper # 23395 : "Predictors of Juvenile Delinquency"

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