Data Science for Science

Aloha! Today we have an entry in Geology. Earthquakes are notoriously difficult to predict. Now researchers have found a way, using AI techniques, to predict the occurrence of "slow" earthquakes. Slow earthquakes can last for a period of weeks or even months but because of their low intensity nature do not cause much damage. They may not even be felt by us. Continuous seismic waves carry the potential signature of an upcoming  slow slip  failure. These seismic waves can be analysed to find patterns and from the regularity in these patterns predictions can be made as to when an event could occur and its intensity. Credit: Earthquake Research Institute, University of Tokyo The researchers created a list of characteristics that precede the appearance of earthquakes. Among them, the researchers noted an exponential increase in seismic energy prior to rupture, as if more and more tiny seismic waves were being emitted from the seismic zone. These crackles were noticeable up to thre