Published in Nature · View the paper (DOI)
Researchers found a 'wobble' in Japan's landmasses before the 2011 magnitude-9 earthquake that killed over 15,500 people. The movement, detected by GPS data, may indicate future large subduction-zone earthquakes. However, the study's findings cannot be applied to other subduction zones without comparable data.
Coverage from 3 institutions
- 'Wobble' may precede some great earthquakes, study shows Ohio State University · Apr 29, 2020 · first to report
- Does accelerated subduction precede great earthquakes? GFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre · Apr 29, 2020
- Scientists observes changes in Earth's surface movement months before big earthquakes Universidad de Concepción · May 6, 2020