
Chinese scientists detected ominous signals pointing to an imminent earthquake hours before the devastating 6.2 magnitude tremor struck Gansu, claiming over 120 lives. Despite their anticipation, they were unable to pinpoint the precise location of the impending quake, a report revealed.
Reportedly, scientists in the province of Shaanxi developed a method successfully predicting earthquakes of 7.0 magnitude or higher over the past decade. This technique, centered on monitoring Earth’s gravitational field through high-precision equipment, identifies anomalies in gravitational waves—an indication of impending seismic activity.
However, this method lacks precision in determining the earthquake’s exact location. When abnormal data readings triggered text alerts from multiple sensors, scientists speculated the quake’s arrival within three to five days. They estimated its magnitude at approximately 6.27.
Zhang Maoshen, expressing surprise at the proximity of the event, highlighted their inability to predict the earthquake’s proximity accurately. Liu Huaqiang from Northwestern Polytechnical University in Xian emphasized that sensors in various cities recorded anomalous waves nearly simultaneously, signaling an impending seismic event.
While comprehending the precursory signals, determining the quake’s location remained elusive. Despite this, the China Earthquake Early Warning Network swiftly disseminated text alerts within 30 seconds of the tremor, reaching epicentral areas within a remarkable 12 seconds.
The incident underscores scientists’ ability to detect precursors to seismic events, yet the challenge persists in precisely forecasting the location. This revelation further highlights the critical need for advanced prediction methods to mitigate the impact of future seismic disasters.
Sources By Agencies