Toads 'could be used to predict earthquakes'

[Jazzy]

Animals could be used to predict earthquakes because certain species are able to sense chemical changes in groundwater immediately before seismic activity, a study suggests.

Experts began investigating the theory after a colony of toads was observed abandoning a pond in L'Aquila, Italy, in 2009, days before the devastating earthquake.



They believe that stressed rocks in the Earth’s crust release charged particles before an earthquake, which react with groundwater.



Animals living in or near groundwater, such as toads, are highly sensitive to such changes and may therefore notice signs of an impending quake.



The researchers, led by Friedemann Freund from Nasa and Rachel Grant from the UK's Open University, hope their findings will inspire biologists and geologists to work together in improving earthquake prediction.



Although not the first example of abnormal animal activity observed prior to earthquakes, the case of the L’Aquila toads was different in that they were being studied in detail at the time.



Full article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/...ads-could-be-used-to-predict-earthquakes.html

 

[Skillet]

Interesting article. Heard of other examples of animals being able to detect changes before human. Would certainly be interesting studies. Anything that can possibly save hundreds of thousands of people; I'm all for.

 

[Evil Eye]

abnormal animal activity

It's not exactly abnormal is it? Not if they can detect it...

Anything that can possibly save hundreds of thousands of people; I'm all for.

Always a safe bet