The challenges and possibilities of earthquake predictions using non-seismic precursors

Abstract The catastrophic magnitude of life and monetary losses associated with earthquakes deserve serious attention mitigation measures. However, in addition to the pre-earthquake post-earthquake alleviation actions, scientific community indeed needs reconsider possibilities earthquake predictions using non-seismic precursors. A significant number studies recent decades have reported several possible precursors such as anomalies electric field, magnetic gas/aerosol emissions, ionospheric signals, ground water level, land surface temperature, deformations, animal behaviour, thermal infrared atmospheric gravity waves, lightning. Such substantial articles anomalous signals cannot be overlooked without a thoughtful appraisal. Here, we provide an opinion on way forward for prediction terms challenges while general point concern is widely varying arrival times amplitudes anomalies, putting question mark their universal applicability markers. unifying concept which does not only define physical basis either all or most these but also streamlines characterisation procedure must focus future precursory research. Advancements developing adaptable instrumentation in-situ observations claimed next step satellite should taken replacement field-based We support need standardise precursor detection techniques employ global-scale monitoring system making any reliable.