Why are earthquakes particually difficult to predict?

Question

Why are earthquakes particually difficult to predict?

Answer 1

Because it is difficult to  predict  when and where the plates move that causes the earthquake.

Answer 2

Cos its like predicting when you are going to bottom burp!! Ya know its going to happen but ya just never really know !!!!!

Thus it always happens when you least expect it

Answer 3

Many many earthquakes are caused by slip across 'blind thrust faults'. These are compressional fractures that lie relatively deep below the surface, and display no discernable features that we can observe easily and economically. So they can occur literally anywhere within a tectonically active region. We can use strain gauges and IR sensors to measure movement across fault planes but if you are dealing with a fault plane that strikes across 1000's of miles you can never measure it all accurately. It's virtually impossible. We can name a timescale in which earthquakes are likely to appear but it's guesswork. It is thought california and japan are due for some tremors since they have not had many in the last 10 years. SF is thought to be at particular risk.

Answer 4

Now with the scientific advancement we are able to predict what is happening in atmosphere. But we are not 100 % success in it. Where as the earthquakes are caused by sudden release of the pressure developed at the tectonic plate edges.It is happening under a depth of about 10 to 100s of k/m.  We can tell what are the places that are more prone to earthquakes.But we can not predict it in a proper & reliable way.That is why when other scientists have made unsuccessful attempt to predict earthquakes I am working in early warning system for earthquakes.I have designed several equipments connected with earthquakes and Tsunami.I am the one issued the warning to Local T.V.Stations 2 hours before Tsunami struck our coast. But my warning was ignored. Several seismologist and scientists are appreciating my inventions.But nobody came forward to approve my method of early warning. If my inventions are properly studied no doubt we can save maximum number of people from several types of disasters.Visit my site at

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Answer 5

its like trying to predict a womans mood, you think you have it sussed, the all h**l lets loose