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<DIV>Using magnetometers, scientists from the <SPAN class=caps>PUCP</SPAN>
predicted two earthquakes in April.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Peruvian geologists may be able to predict
earthquakes</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>by Diego M. Ortiz</DIV>
<DIV>25 June 2013</DIV>
<DIV><A
href="http://www.peruthisweek.com/news-peruvian-geologists-may-be-able-to-predict-earthquakes-100220">http://www.peruthisweek.com/news-peruvian-geologists-may-be-able-to-predict-earthquakes-100220</A><TIME></TIME></DIV>
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<P><A
href="http://www.peruthisweek.com/news-peruvian-geologists-may-be-able-to-predict-earthquakes-100220"><IMG
title="Peruvian geologists may be able to predict earthquakes"
alt="Peruvian geologists may be able to predict earthquakes"
src="http://e.peruthisweek.e3.pe//ima/0/0/0/1/5/15358/624x468.jpg" width=624
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<P>Photo by Wikimedia Commons</P>
<P>Anyone who lives on the Pacific coast—from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego—knows
that from time to time the earth will move causing earthquakes. Sometimes we
feel them, other times they go virtually undetected, but a group of scientists
in Peru says they might have the technology to predict the quakes before they
occur.</P>
<P>In October 2010, scientists used a magnetometer, a device that measures the
strength and direction of magnetic fields, to detect an increase in magnetic
pressure in Tacna. According to the data they collected, the investigators
predicted that there would be an earthquake in the region sometime between the
22nd and 23rd of October. And just as they predicted, at 3 a.m. on the 22nd
there was seismic activity off the coast of Tacna.</P>
<P>In April of this year, scientists used two magnetometers to predict a 4.1M
earthquake on the 4th and a 3.8M on the 12th of the month. Scientists now
believe that by using these magnetometers, the public can be better informed
about potential earthquakes.</P>
<P>Dr. Jorge Heraud, director of the Radioastronomy Institute at the Catholic
University in Peru, is now working to put more of those magnetometers in various
locations around the country. There are currently 10 in place in Peru – nine
were donated by a private company in California and one was donated by
Telefonica. </P>
<P>These sensors may allow us to better track small currents of energy that
accompany tension in the friction points where earthquakes begin. Friction that
builds when the Earth’s tectonic plates rub against one another is what creates
earthquakes. In Peru, earthquakes are caused by the Nazca plate rubbing against
the South American plate.</P>
<P>The program is still in its infancy Heraud says, but with more magnetometers
it may be possible to predict earthquakes in the future, allowing the public
time to prepare incase of major earthquakes.</P>
<P>It will likely take years, if not decades, to perfect the system and to
identify all of the mechanisms that lead to seismic activities. The question
remains, how will people react to earthquake warnings once the technology
exists?</P></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>