Advancements in GPS Data Bring Hope for Earthquake Prediction
French researchers Quentin Bletery and Jean-Mathieu Nocquet claim to have discovered a way to predict major earthquakes hours before they occur. Their analysis of 90 past earthquakes suggests that a "precursory slip" phase occurs within two hours before the earthquake, providing enough time for officials to issue warnings. While the study still needs to be confirmed, if their discovery is real, it could potentially save lives and protect critical infrastructure. However, implementing this prediction method would require an expensive retooling of the GPS system and the construction of an extensive GPS sensor network along major earthquake rupture faults.