Before buildings collapse in earthquakes, animals often react to shock waves and tectonic shifts before humans notice.
“Dogs panic, trying to break free from leashes or run away from home.” Fish may leap from ponds, cats flee their sleeping spots, and birds escape cages or fly erratically instead of in normal formations.
A photo shows pigeons flying chaotically before a high-rise in Bangkok collapsed during yesterday’s 7.7-magnitude quake.
However, “scientific research is not yet sufficient to confirm that animals have the ability to predict earthquakes.” The lack of conclusive studies or controlled experiments leaves this phenomenon unproven.With modern shock wave sensors and 24/7 field cameras, researchers can now track animal behavior alongside seismic activity.
Further studies are needed to determine whether animals truly sense disasters in advance.
