But fortunately, most of these potentially destructive earthquakes center in unpopulated areas far from civilization. But it could hit any location, because no region is entirely free of earthquakes. To date, they cannot be predicted. But anyone, on any day, could make this statement and it would be true. The problem, however, is in pinpointing the area where a strong shock will center and when it will occur.
Earthquake prediction is a future possibility, though.
Just as the Weather Bureau now predicts hurricanes, tornadoes, and other severe storms, the NEIC may one day issue forecasts on earthquakes. Earthquake research was stepped up after the Alaska shock in 1964. Today, research is being conducted by the USGS and other federal and state agencies, as well as universities and private institutions. Earthquake prediction may some day become a reality, but only after much more is learned about the earthquake mechanism.