A Challenge to Earthquakes

V. V. Ruzhich and S. G. Psakhie

What is man, so small and helpless, against an earthquake, an invincible natural disaster which eludes any control? — Though small and feeble, people of the third millenium are learning to move mountains…

People have been trying to withstand earthquakes since very long ago but, till recently, they have just come to mitigate the devastating consequences of seismic shocks. However, neither seismic risk mapping, nor earthquake-proof engineering, nor salvage improvements, nor the humble progress in earthquake prediction can considerably reduce seismic damage.

Reliable short-term earthquake prediction appears to remain a tough problem in the nearest future. Therefore, scientists from many countries worldwide are looking for alternative working ways to combat seismic risk.

More information on these and other subjects you can find in the printed version of our journal.