Man, with all his instruments and technology, has not yet learned how to accurately predict earthquakes. But there are creatures in nature that seem to know about a disaster minutes or even hours before the Earth’s crust begins to shake. These are animals. And although science does not yet have an absolute explanation, a growing body of evidence confirms that, yes, animals can indeed sense the approach of an earthquake.
Invisible signals
Most animals perceive the world differently than we do. They are sensitive to the slightest changes in the environment: pressure, magnetic fields, earth vibrations, ultrasound. Before an earthquake, weak vibrations – primary vibrations (P-waves) – occur in the Earth’s crust, which are not yet felt by humans, but animals already react. Some studies show that they can feel the changes tens of minutes and sometimes even hours before the shock.
Their reaction is a set of instinctive actions aimed at survival. Dogs begin to whine, hide, run in circles, or refuse to come home. Cats become restless, running away abruptly or hiding in hard-to-reach places. Birds take off from their nests in a panic and fly without a visible target. Horses and cows start thrashing around, kicking their hooves, not giving into hands. And fish in aquariums rush to the bottom or pretend to be dead.
It is interesting that snakes, lizards and other reptiles can leave their burrows a few days before the tremor. This is especially true for cold-blooded animals, which are extremely sensitive to temperature and seismic changes. Cats, on the other hand, have been observed to sense ground vibrations even 12-24 hours before an earthquake – their hearing and vibration sensitivity work as a natural detector.
Who are the most sensitive to earthquakes?
According to scientists and eyewitnesses, among the most “sensitive” to seismic activity are:
Dogs and cats – pets, which are the first to signal anxiety
Birds – especially chickens, pigeons and parrots
Reptiles – snakes and lizards that leave their hiding places in advance
Fish – especially in aquariums where every unusual reaction is visible
Farm animals – cows, sheep, horses that behave aggressively or anxiously en masse
Conclusion
Animals are nature’s harbingers. Their sensitivity to seismic changes is astounding. And while science doesn’t have the full picture yet, one thing is certain: animals see, hear and feel much more than we do. So if your cat suddenly starts hiding and your dog starts whining for no reason, it may be time to listen not only to your heart, but also to the ground.
