Filtering out non-specific animal behavior to better predict impending earthquakes

Abstract

Filtering noise is a common practice in research and industry, and it can clear undesired background and amplify positive signals. Anomaly of animal behavior before impending earthquakes has long been recognized. However, its application in real-life settings has been hindered by non-specific animal behavior. After filtering out non-specific abnormal animal phenomena, large-magnitude earthquakes can be predicted via specific behavior such as the loss of appetite, spasm, difficulty in standing, easy capture, waterfowls deserting water and seabirds flocking inland. Numerous occurrences of such events across species and regions may suggest that a large earthquake is looming large. The impact of seismic activities upon heart disease sufferers is also discussed.