In what is being called the latest and greatest way to predict when an earthquake will strike, a group of scientists suggest watching toads fleeing the area. British researches stated that they observed toads fleeing a breeding farm some five days before a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck in Italy. This would seem to suggest that toads can perceive that an earthquake is coming and could be used to alert humans.

In a recent article, Researcher Rachel Grant said:

One possibility is that the animals sensed a change in the amount of radon gas emitted by the Earth because of the buildup of pressure prior to a quake.

Scientists also have surmised that animals may be able to detect minor tremors imperceptible to humans, or that they sense electrical signals emitted by rocks under stress before an earthquake.

Grant said the sense may be the result of millions of years of evolution, a trigger that tells the toads to move to safer ground.

No offense, Rachel, but there is nothing new in this type of thinking. For years people have been trying to use animal behavior to determine when an earthquake would strike, but the success rate has been extremely low. Being a born and bred California resident for many years, I have experienced some shakers and rollers.

I recall one evening sitting watching the tube when I heard a rumbling noise that sounded like a big truck coming down the street. The shaker rolled under the house, mildly shaking the timbers. At the time we had two dogs, both of which were sleeping soundly and they didn’t move or even wake up. So much for animal warnings.

Comments welcome.

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