I am often asked about prediction. Since my first attachment to seismology, I have had a horror of predictions and of predictors. Journalists and the general public rush to any suggestion of earthquake prediction like hogs toward a full trough. It is a parallel to the obsession with a cure for cancer, or with the question of life on other worlds. There is nothing wrong with aiming toward prediction, if that is done with common sense, proper use of correct information, and an understanding of the inherent difficulties. Otherwise, the subject provides a happy hunting ground for amateurs, cranks, and outright publicity seeking fakers. The vaporings of such people are from time to time seized upon by the news media, who then encroach on the time of men who are occupied in serious research.
-Charles Richter
Isn’t Richter dead? I personally do not discount modern science’s ability to at some point to be able to predict practically anything ... eventually. ;-)
The link was a “nut” noticing and posting to youtube two days before the big quake in Japan that something big was up - pretty sure he’s using a program called EQ3D - Earthquake 3D.
There were others I meant to ping but dinner was served ... so I include them here.
My only point is that you cannot discount out of hand a new perspective that “luckily” predicted an otherwise unknown future event. Except for a whole lot of “climate scientists” and despite the failure of education in general I believe there are sharp people out there utilizing all our modern tools to try to get ahead of events.
If Palmdale started bulging a foot a day what might you surmise? Me? I’d duck and I’m in Florida! Night. ;-)