Seismology

Seismology (from the Greek seismos = earthquake and logos = word) is the scientific study of earthquakes and the movement of waves through the Earth. The field also includes studies of variants such as seaquakes, causes such as volcanoes and tectonic plates.

Earthquake prediction

:Main article: Earthquake prediction

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Most seismologists do not believe that a system to provide timely warnings for individual earthquakes has yet been developed, and some believe that such a system would be effectively impossible. More general forecasts, however, are routinely used to establish seismic hazard. Such forecasts estimate the probability of an earthquake of a particular size affecting a particular location within a particular time span.

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Various attempts have been made by seismologists and others to create effective systems for precise earthquake predictions, including the VAN method. Such methods have yet to be generally accepted in the seismology community.

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