Earthquakes Cannot Be Predicted

TLDR

Earthquakes are inherently unpredictable because their occurrence depends on unmeasurable fine details of Earth's interior, as argued by chaos theory and recent research. The paper asks whether future earthquakes can be predicted reliably and accurately. The perspective is written by Geller et al.

Abstract

Can the time, location, and magnitude of future earthquakes be predicted reliably and accurately? In their Perspective, Geller et al . ’s answer is “no.” Citing recent results from the physics of nonlinear systems “chaos theory,” they argue that any small earthquake has some chance of cascading into a large event. According to research cited by the authors, whether or not this happens depends on unmeasurably fine details of conditions in Earth's interior. Earthquakes are therefore inherently unpredictable. Geller et al . suggest that controversy over prediction lingers because prediction claims are not stated as objectively testable scientific hypotheses, and due to overly optimistic reports in the mass media.