Earthquake Prediction and Earthquake Damage Prediction

Abstract

Earthquake prediction is slow in development. We are still far from making accurate predictions. The latest seismic prediction scheme, the VAN method, is promising, but most scientists are still skeptical. On the other hand, recent earthquakes in California have revealed much information on earthquake damage. Building construction, over the past few decades has continuously improved, and dramatically decreased damage done by earthquakes. It is as important to be able to predict earthquake damage as it is to predict earthquakes. IRAS is a sophisticated computer program used by the insurance industry to estimate expected damage on property.