Earthquake Predictions:
An Earthquake might last for as short as a few seconds. Yet, the devastation caused by them is beyond imagination. Hence, event prediction of an earthquake is done after intensive research into the causes of occurrence of an earthquake. Event predictions for prediction of earth quakes firstly mark all the sites that are most vulnerable to the occurrence of an earthquake. This is primarily important, because certain precautionary measures, like building of buildings that are resistant to earthquakes can be done.
Although, the place of occurrence of an earthquake can be predicted easily, to predict the exact time of occurrence of an earthquake is beyond the scope of any event prediction. Yet, event predictions do specify a time interval between which the earthquake may be expected to occur. This, however, need not always turn true, because, the occurrence of an earthquake also depends on various other conditions that are not visible to us.
Steps followed:
We have seen that it is beyond the scope of any event prediction to predict the exact time and location of an earthquake. However, most of the event predictions rely on the preliminary conditions that exist before the occurrence of an earthquake. That is, there are many faults that are responsible for the occurrence of an earthquake. When any such fault becomes weaker, earthquakes of smaller magnitudes may occur in the vicinity of the area. This forms the basis for event prediction of the larger earthquake scheduled to occur, and further helps in narrowing down the site of the epicenter of the earthquake.
Event prediction of an earthquake not only requires the prediction of where, when, intensity, etc to be answered; but, it also requires questions like the basis of the particular event prediction to be made. This is because, there might be several other such event predictions which are not made on a technological basis, and are hence false. Such false event predictions will end up in misguiding the public about the occurrence of an earthquake, and are usually referred to as pseudo predictions.
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