3.5.9 Earthquake prediction
The problem of earthquake prediction is extremely difficult and is associated with sundry other problems of a sociological nature. To predict an earthquake correctly
means deciding, as far in advance as possible, exactly where and when it will occur. It is also necessary to judge how strong it will be, which means realistically that
people want to know what the likely damage will be, a feature expressed in the earthquake intensity. In fact the geophysicist is almost helpless in this respect, because at best an estimate of the predicted magnitude can be made.As seen above, even if it is possible to predict accurately the magnitude, the intensity depends on many factors (e.g., local geology, construction standards, secondary effects like fires and floods) which are largely outside the influence of the seismologist who is asked to presage the seriousness of the event. The problem of prediction rapidly assumes sociological and political proportions.Even if the approximate time and place of a major earthquake can be predicted with reasonable certainty, the question then remains of what to do about the situation.Properly, the threatened area should be evacuated, but
this would entail economic consequences of possibly enormous dimension.
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