Guest Thinkers — April 1, 2010

Quake Sense

Scientists think toads may be able to predict earthquakes by sensing “pre-seismic perturbations in the ionosphere.”

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Scientists have found that toads may be able to predict earthquakes. The behavior of a group of common toads showed a dramatic change five days before an earthquake struck L’Aquila, Italy last April, according to Rachel Grant of the Open University in Milton Keynes, U.K. Grant said the toads abandoned spawning days before the shaking began. Her team The team thinks the strange toad behavior was triggered by “pre-seismic perturbations in the ionosphere.”

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

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