Californians wondering if tomorrow's forecast will be sunny can now find out if there's also a chance of afternoon tremors.
Scientists launched a Web site Wednesday that calculates the probability of strong ground-shaking at specific locations over a 24-hour period.
The forecast maps, updated hourly, would be most useful after a temblor strong enough to break windows and crack plaster, according to U.S. Geological Survey seismologist Matthew Gerstenberger, who developed the site.
After a big earthquake hits an area, scientists know there will be aftershocks, but they can't pinpoint when or where. Now residents rattled by a quake can go online and check for the possibility of more jolting in their area.
Details appear in Thursday's issue of the journal Nature.
The chances of the maps showing when and where a significant earthquake will strike, however, are slim most of the time, scientists say.
How soon, do you imagine, before somebody complains the earthquake forecast only adds to hysteria?
I'm not so much worried about that, Timber, as I am that people will start to complain that they were all prepared for an earthquake which never happened. Like carrying an umbrella on a clear day because the rain that was forecast never materialized. Damn it! You predicted a quake. Now where is it?
Stumble It!
Tweet This
Bookmark on Delicious
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace
