Can Animals Help to Predict Earthquakes? Decoding Animal Behavior

The Science Behind Animals and Earthquake Prediction: Fact or Fiction?

Reading time : 1 minute, Discovery Chepe Id-380-ECO
Published in 05-12-2024

In Japan, the oarfish is known as "Ryugu no tsukai", which means "messenger of the Palace of the Sea God". Legend says that its appearance portends natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis and cyclones.

Earthquake forecasting with animals? The ability of animals to detect changes in the environment has fascinated humans for centuries. One of the areas where this sensitivity seems to be most notable is in earthquake prediction. Although there is no definitive answer yet, research into animal behavior around earthquakes is growing rapidly.

Animals under study:
a) Dogs: Their keen sense of smell and hearing allows them to detect subtle changes in the air and ground. Some studies have documented changes in their behavior, such as barking or howling, before an earthquake.
b) Cats: Like dogs, cats are sensitive to vibrations and may show restlessness or nervousness before an earthquake.
c) Snakes: It has been observed that some snakes leave their burrows hours before an earthquake. It is believed that they can detect changes in the Earth's electromagnetic field.
d) Fish: Some fish, such as the oarfish, have been associated with seismic activity. It is believed that its erratic behavior could be a sign of an impending earthquake.
e) Bees: A study in Italy found that bees returned to their hives in greater numbers before an earthquake.

Animals and earthquakes: a relationship that is not yet fully understood

Research challenges:
1- Difficulty in controlling all the variables that can affect animal behavior.
2- Lack of precise data on animal behavior before and after earthquakes.
3- Need for large-scale studies with standardized methodologies.

The development of early warning systems based on animal behavior, a greater understanding of the mechanisms that allow animals to detect changes in the environment, and the implementation of animal monitoring programs in seismic risk areas are needed.

Research into the ability of animals to predict earthquakes is still in its infancy. However, the results so far are intriguing and suggest that animals may be a valuable tool for earthquake prediction. More studies are needed to confirm this possibility and develop reliable early warning systems.