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Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: thedoc on 11/07/2016 13:42:23

Title: How do toads predict earthquakes?
Post by: thedoc on 11/07/2016 13:42:23

The toads that "predict" the earthquakes, are they hearing the noises from the rocks? Another episode mentioned that they were researching the sounds the earth makes before a volcano erupts. I'm thinking the earth must make sounds before a quake as well. Frogs and toads have amazing hearing right? Maybe they are hearing the movements in the rocks before a quake hits?
Asked by Paul


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[chapter podcast=1001386 track=16.07.05/Naked_Scientists_Show_16.07.05_1005359.mp3](https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenakedscientists.com%2FHTML%2Ftypo3conf%2Fext%2Fnaksci_podcast%2Fgnome-settings-sound.gif&hash=f2b0d108dc173aeaa367f8db2e2171bd)  ...or Listen to the Answer[/chapter] or [download as MP3] (http://nakeddiscovery.com/downloads/split_individual/16.07.05/Naked_Scientists_Show_16.07.05_1005359.mp3)

Title: How do toads predict earthquakes?
Post by: echochartruse on 07/05/2010 01:21:39

Seismic Waves are inaudible sounds carried through the earths crust.
The pads on an elephants feet are sensitive to these waves. Toads probably have similar ability. Insects and cats also can predict danger and they also have pads on their feet that suggest they feel seismic waves.
Some people are very sensitive to seismic waves also.
I've heard of modern native groups fleeing prior to tsunami striking, whether they saw the animals react and followed or whether they had the ability themselves is up to discussion.
Also I would imagine that whether you are located in a concrete jungle or natural landscape would also influence your ability to anticipate an earthquake.

Title: How do toads predict earthquakes?
Post by: brshorten on 08/05/2010 00:22:18

Very interesting! I guess by "hear" I meant "feel" I wonder how hard it would be to pick these waves up in order to predict (at least to some degree) when a quake is on its way? I would think they are working on that some were?

Thanks very much for the reply

Title: How do toads predict earthquakes?
Post by: Geezer on 08/05/2010 01:41:23

Quote from: brshorten on 08/05/2010 00:22:18

Very interesting! I guess by "hear" I meant "feel" I wonder how hard it would be to pick these waves up in order to predict (at least to some degree) when a quake is on its way? I would think they are working on that some were?

Thanks very much for the reply

I would not get too exited about that. Seismologists have very sensitive equipment for measuring any disturbances of this nature. If there are any detectable precursors to earthquakes, I think they will be aware of them.

Title: Hear the answer to this question on our show
Post by: thedoc on 11/07/2016 13:42:23

We discussed this question on our  show



Chris Smith put this to Marian Holness,geologist from the University of Cambridge...



[Transcript to follow]



Click to visit the show page for the podcast in which this question is answered. (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/naked-scientists/show/20160705/) Alternatively, [chapter podcast=1001386 track=16.07.05/Naked_Scientists_Show_16.07.05_1005359.mp3](https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenakedscientists.com%2FHTML%2Ftypo3conf%2Fext%2Fnaksci_podcast%2Fgnome-settings-sound.gif&hash=f2b0d108dc173aeaa367f8db2e2171bd) listen to the answer now[/chapter] or [download as MP3] (http://nakeddiscovery.com/downloads/split_individual/16.07.05/Naked_Scientists_Show_16.07.05_1005359.mp3)