Skip to main content

Why are earthquakes so hard to predict? - Jean-Baptiste P. Koehl

1,191,917 Views

26,371 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

In 132 CE, Zhang Heng presented his latest invention: a large vase he claimed could tell them whenever an earthquake occurred for hundreds of miles. Today, we no longer rely on pots as warning systems, but earthquakes still offer challenges to those trying to track them. Why are earthquakes so hard to anticipate, and how could we get better at predicting them? Jean-Baptiste P. Koehl investigates.

Earthquakes occur along large cracks (faults) at or near the boundary between two tectonic plates. Why do some faults generate earthquakes while others move peacefully?

Sign in to answer question

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Jean-Baptiste P. Koehl
  • Director Mateus Contini, Felipe Grosso
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Animator Natália Faria, Vini Pereira, Kelvin Lima, Mateus Contini
  • Editor Mateus Contini
  • Art Director Ricke Ito
  • Storyboard Artist Ricke Ito
  • Character Designer Ricke Ito
  • Sound Designer Matheus Wittmann
  • Composer Matheus Wittmann
  • Compositor Mateus Contini
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Associate Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Associate Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
  • Script Editor Emma Bryce
  • Fact-Checker Joseph Isaac

More from Awesome Nature