Did toads predict the earthquake?

13/05/2008 / CHINA

Did toads predict the earthquake?

According to recent estimates, the earthquake that hit China on Monday could leave 10,000 people dead. Web users are saying that the catastrophe could have been avoided, if only they had listened to the toads.

Two days before the quake thousands of toads suddenly decided to move across a bridge in Taizhou, a town in the Jiangsu province (see photos). Chinese web users are wondering why the local authorities didn't relate the event to the imminence of an earthquake, and why scientists didn't take notice of the bizarre disappearance of a lake in Enshi, in the Hubei province, on April 26 (see photos).

A seismologist tells us that the Chinese have long relied on the behaviour of animals to predict earthquakes. Although there's no scientific study to back up the farmers' claims, the idea that toads sensed the earthquake should not be ruled out.

Contributors

Pascal Bernard

"Animals sense pre-earthquake micro-tremors"

Pascal Bernard is a researcher in a team of seismologists at the Jussieu University in Paris.

Although it's difficult to prove that toads "predicted" the quake, it's certainly not impossible. We know that animals sense pre-earthquake micro-tremors, and react to underground water movements, or even changes in the composition of the air. It's just that these theories haven't been scientifically proven yet.

China has a long tradition of seismology studies based particularly on looking at the behaviour of rats, snakes, toads etc. The idea was very fashionable in the 70s [when scientific researchers were ousted in the cultural revolution]. Farmers very carefully noted down all the different kinds of behaviour of animals in the hope of predicting natural catastrophes. But in my experience it never really worked. In 1975, villagers did manage to predict an earthquake and avoid catastrophe. But it was because they felt the mini-tremors, not because of something they noticed in the animals."

Pascal Bernard

France
Seismologist

Swamped by toads in Taizhou (Jiangsu province)

10 May 08. Via Chinese website QQ.

A pond disappears in Enshi (Hubei province)

April 26. Via QQ.

Resulting in a good catch for a fisherman.

Français

Comments

Some people can

Submitted by Nancy (not verified) on Fri, 16/05/2008 - 20:27.

There are people who are sensitive to shifts in energy like magnetic fields etc. moreso than others. I know one person who can "hear" earthquakes before they happen. Some people can hear dog whistles most cannot. There is a huge range in human perception be it physiological or otherwise. To say it isn't so is what is idiotic.

Unregistered user

You are alone... you don't

Submitted by Reality (not verified) on Fri, 16/05/2008 - 16:14.

You are alone... you don't do that... that doesn't happen.

Unregistered user

Although humans may think

Submitted by Anonyme (not verified) on Thu, 15/05/2008 - 07:28.

Although humans may think that all causes must be justify through scientific means, there are definitely many things on earth still humans are still yet to achieve nor to control. There have been numerous sightings of animals' abnormal behaviors such as the fishes dying before the recent tsunami incidents and now the toads. And there must be some meaning to 'toad behavior' and if it doesn't, our fore-fathers wouldn't be using a 'toad' for the prediction of earthquake in one of china's ancient Seismometer "http://enl.usc.edu/~krishna/pictures/photos/2004/kowloon/kowloon72.jpg"

Perhaps, humans should start to learn from our fore-fathers and not to be clouded by our own egos and complacency when dealing with life-threatening matters.

Unregistered user

TOADS PRDICTED CHINA EARTHQUAKE

Submitted by KARL (not verified) on Thu, 15/05/2008 - 16:15.

It has been reported that insects such as cockroaches are capable of sensing pre-earthquake tremors. I ahve in my posession an interesting piece of practical artwork. It is an antique Japanese vase, supposedly used to predict earthquakes. Dragons in high sculptural relief on the vase's exterior loosely hold small natural crystal marbles in their claws. These marbles vibrate against the bronze claws and make a ringing sound prior to earthquake. Interesting piece of art, no?

Unregistered user

I toad them that the

Submitted by Zen Dog (not verified) on Thu, 15/05/2008 - 17:15.

I toad them that the earthquake was coming....

Unregistered user

Why have people become so

Submitted by Anonyme (not verified) on Sun, 18/05/2008 - 07:51.

Why have people become so dense, ignoring their sur-
roundings, animal behaviour? Too lazy to analyze think
explore? Brainwashed to act like zombies? So intent on
the next dollar, or how to be entertained, veggie out?
Those frogs could not talk any clearer, something's up
By the way, i happen to realize, that we are enduring
man made weather wars, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods
Tornadoes,even that tsunami. They can blame it on mother nature conveniently without being caught, and
that is real terrorism! Keep on paying your taxes with
out questions, conveniently keep on consuming & con-
forming! They done New York, so LA is next on the agen
da. Of course there are no frogs left in LA, so watch
the rats & cock roaches real close...take it to heart
for once in your life! Follow your intuition, use your
brain if you have one left!!!

Unregistered user

Do you really mean to

Submitted by Anonyme (not verified) on Wed, 21/05/2008 - 01:47.

Do you really mean to suggest that Hurricane Katrina, the Cyclone in Myanmar, Earthquakes in China, Peru and Pakistan, and the Tsunami in SE Asia could be anything more than mother earth (or the hand of god, depending on your belief system)?? She (or he, depending on your beliefs) would probably be terribly insulted to hear that.

Unregistered user