GPS Signals The Key To Predicting Earthquakes?

GPS Signals The Key To Predicting Earthquakes?


Earthquake prediction is a mystery that has stumped scientists for centuries. But it just might be that the same signals giving us directions to the nearest Starbucks could clue us in to upcoming tremors.

Professor Kosuke Heki of Hokkaido University discovered that while measuring electrons in the ionosphere using GPS signals during the Tohoku earthquake of 2011, the amount of electrons actually increased about an hour prior to the strike. He then found that similar data existed for several other past quakes.

It seems like there is still much to be examined surrounding the new findings, but any advancements in the field could have profound consequences.

[BBC News]

Image: ermess / Shutterstock.


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