Quake in California desert predicted - by September

[dArKeR]

A team of scientists credited with getting earlier earthquake predictions right now expects a 6.4 magnitude or larger temblor in the Southern California desert by Sept. 5, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times.

Led by UCLA scientist Vladimir Keilis-Borok, the team has been predicting quakes within certain timeframes and geographic regions. That has led to criticism that their work is not precise enough to be useful, but others see it as significant progress in the science.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4221352/

[AirConditionedGypsie]

1. Sounds like KKKarl Rove's doing

[mac2]

8. CA earthquake in September?

Just before the "selection"? A earthquake like Iran just a while ago? Bushblast weapon?

Sorry, I don't put anything past these guys.

[Ediacara]

9. well if a weapon like that existed.....

[Hell Hath No Fury]

2. Wow, I hope they are on to something....

As someone who lives in California and always faces the possibility of a major quake out of the blue, I think it would be great to be able to have SOME notice.

The world could certainly use this technology.

[Drifter]

3. Isn't that the same ...

as me predicting a snow storm in Canada during the winter months.

Sounds like a pretty safe prediction to me.

Cheers
Drifter

[Hell Hath No Fury]

12. Not at all...

California is a huge state with hundreds of faultlines, many of them undiscovered.

In San Francisco we have not had a major quake since The Pretty Big One of '89. Yes, we know that someday we WILL have another one, but it could be decades away or only a few days.


Any technolocy that could possibily let us know in advance the region and a timeframe would be tremendously helpful.

At another time it could have been said that predicting a tornado in the midwest was a pretty easy bet, but technology can now allow them enough notice to save lives.

[Pale_Rider]

14. Next big one in the Bay Area ...

... along the San Andreas Rift Zone will be the Black Mountain segment near Palo Alto (home to Bay Area's USGS office).

[Ediacara]

4. I'd like to see their methods

But for the time being, EXTREME skepticism is warrented.

[radwriter0555]

6. Well it's not like they're practicing voo-doo or witch craft... they've

achieved a certain amount of reliability.

It's cool stuff, the science of the earth... In CA we get what we call "quake weather" when things just change atmospherically... things get more still, and we get this baked feeling...

[Ediacara]

7. well that's just it

Most of the time earthquake predictions ARE just about as reliable as voo-doo and witchcraft. Like I said, I am very skeptical of it, and would like to see their methods and not a thirdhand report of their prediction.

[chemenger]

10. Long Valley Caldera

Correct me if I'm wrong geographically but isn't Long Valley Caldera located in the Southern California desert. For those who aren't familiar with Long Valley Caldera check out the USGS website or:

http://www.volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/volc_images/north_america/california/long_valley.html

[Pale_Rider]

13. Long Valley is located across from Yosemite ...

... on the central eastern Sierra. Though I believe its quakes are related to volcanic action as opposed to sliding and slipping faults.

[radwriter0555]

5. Guess I'll break out the "quake stick" just in case it's anywhere near

here in los angeles!

Love that stuff. Great for holding down pictures and doo-dads on the shelves.

[AffirmativeReaction]

11. Where'd they get this info?

Miss Cleo?