Earthquakes Can be Predicted by Aquifer Water Levels

The continuous monitoring and close examination of water levels in the foothills of the Himalayas can predict an impending earthquake in the region. The region is actually due for a major earthquake and aquifer water levels serve as a warning system.

The Ministry of Earth Sciences received this recommendation from Ramesh Singh who is the professor of environmental sciences at California’s Chapman University. Ramesh Singh is also the President of the Natural Hazards Group of the American Geological Union. Singh said that the feasibility of monitoring water levels of underground aquifers to predict earthquakes in quake – prone regions has been confirmed. The confirmation is received from an analysis of water level data in a bore hole that was collected during the earthquake that hit Nepal’s Gorkha district on 25^th April, 2015.

The results of the study have recently been published in the journal Techtonophysics. The study was carried out by Singh and three seismologists from China.

Content: Hindustan Times

By: Bhavna Sharma