India is yet to recover from the devastating earthquake of Gujarat. If we could predict earth quakes like other climatic disasters, human life could be saved. Although a great deal is known about where earthquakes are likely, at present there is no reliable way to predict one. It is possible to estimate where big earthquakes are likely in the next 50-100 years based on geologically observed motions on faults and the historic record of earthquakes.
Earthquake prediction is a statement of probability based on scientific observation.
Monitoring usually focuses on identifying anomalies that may be precursors. Scientists try to predict earthquakes by studying historical earthquakes, their fault systems, the geology of the area, mapping features that might change just before an earthquake, measuring levels of gas in ground water and so on. Some of these precursory phenomena can be detected only by means of scientific instruments which can be termed microsopic anomalies while others can be observed with the unaided human senses which can be termed macroscopic anomalies. Macroscopic anomalies broadly include unusual sounds just before the shock, electrostatic charging of the air, increase in localized temperature, seismic gaps, unusual ground fogs, sulfurous smells, bubbling in water-bodies, human malaise and bizarre animal behaviour. Of all these, man since thousands of years has been perplexed by the bizarre animal behaviour which are exhibited prior to an earthquake.