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An earthquake prediction went viral. Is it giving people false hope?

BBC
Summary
Nutrition label

67% Informative

Seismologists say earthquakes can't be forecasted with any accuracy.

Brent Dmitruk predicted a 7.3 magnitude earthquake in Eureka , California , in October .

Seismologist Lucy Jones says predicting earthquakes is a "dynamic" set of geological factors that lead to an earthquake.

She says the human need to make a pattern in the face of danger is extremely strong.

USGS says an earthquake prediction must have three defined elements - a date and time, the location of the earthquake and the magnitude - in order to be of any use.

The Great Shake Out is the largest earthquake drill on earth , and millions of Americans participate in it every year .

VR Score

72

Informative language

72

Neutral language

71

Article tone

informal

Language

English

Language complexity

43

Offensive language

not offensive

Hate speech

not hateful

Attention-grabbing headline

not detected

Known propaganda techniques

not detected

Time-value

short-lived

External references

no external sources

Source diversity

no sources

Affiliate links

no affiliate links