Description
Earthquakes are the vibrations felt from the passing of seismic waves commonly generated from sudden movements within the earth�s crust. Most earthquakes occur near the margins of the crustal plates where they rub together but sometimes they are associated with faults quite far from active plate boundaries. The study of earthquakes and their sources is called seismology. A basic understanding of earthquakes has only occurred in modern times. Before this, people affected by these devastating surprise events developed myths about the causes of quakes or considered them punishments from the gods. Several very destructive earthquakes occur around the world each year. Forecasting location and timing of large quakes is a still a new and very inexact science but psychics frequently claim to be able to predict devastating earthquakes. A great amount of pseudoscience is associated with quake prediction such as planetary alignments, correlation with moon phases or biologic signals. Anomalous animal behavior is also correlated to earthquakes but scientists are uncertain if some animals respond to certain sounds or conditions prior to a seismic event. Reports of strange lights are sometimes associated with seismic activity. The exact cause of these is not known but they are difficult to study due to the unpredictability of earthquakes. It�s possible these lights have been interpreted as UFOs or other paranormal phenomena.
Sharon Hill (Geologist) |
United States Geological Survey: ��