how are earthquakes predicted

• Seismic waves


  seismic activity and waves are monitored so that scientists can estimate when and where hazards are likely to occur

  volcanoes are more predictable
• gas emissions


  scientists monitor sulphur that is released by volcanoes

  an increase in emissions could mean that an eruption is imminent
• ground deformation


  GP's can be used to monitor what is happening beneath the volcano

  when magma accumulates in a volcano, the ground tends to swell

  this can help scientists predicts when a volcano is likely to erupt
• foreshocks


  often, before a major earthquake occurs, there will be lots of smaller tremors along the same fault line

  scientists monitor these and can help them to predict when a major earthquake may be more likely
• animal behaviour


  some animals behave differently in the lead up to hazards

  birds become restless before volcano eruptions

  snakes awake from hibernation prior an earthquake

  toads flee their colony before major earthquakes
• laser beams


  scientists can measure the seismic signal given off from the plate margins using a laser interferometer and then use this information to predict earthquakes and volcanic eruptions