The Earth’s crust is a mosaic of massive, slowly moving tectonic plates. The science of **seismology** attempts to understand the forces—like shear stress and fault lines—that ultimately cause these sudden, catastrophic ruptures we know as earthquakes. Our preparedness begins with understanding the energy $E$ released during a seismic event, which can be related to the seismic moment $M_0$ by the formula $E \propto M_0$. You can view the latest live seismic data on our monitoring page.

Mitigation vs. Prediction

While reliable, short-term earthquake **prediction** remains largely elusive due to the complexity of subsurface geology, significant advancements have been made in **mitigation** and early warning systems. These systems detect the fast-moving P-waves to provide a few seconds of warning before the destructive S-waves arrive.

Key Steps for Seismic Preparedness

• Secure heavy furniture to walls to prevent injury (see our guide to securing your home).
• Maintain an accessible emergency kit with water, food, and medical supplies.
• Know your building's evacuation plan and primary shut-off valves for utilities.

Future Research and Forecasting

Future research focuses on integrating real-time GPS data and machine learning to improve hazard mapping and potentially push the boundaries of short-term forecasting. Staying informed is the first step toward survival.