Earthquake Weather: Hazy & Hot at 90°F

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    Earthquake Weather
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of "earthquake weather," particularly in relation to specific weather conditions experienced on a hot and hazy day at 90°F. Participants explore anecdotal evidence and personal experiences related to predicting earthquakes based on atmospheric conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants reference an article discussing animals sensing earthquakes, suggesting a potential link between weather and seismic activity.
  • One participant shares a personal anecdote about their father predicting the 1971 Sylmar earthquake, attributing it to a feeling of "earthquake weather" characterized by hazy skies and a strange calm.
  • There is speculation about whether reduced activity in animals or pressure changes might be indicators of impending earthquakes.
  • Another participant echoes the sentiment that there may be something to the idea of "earthquake weather," reinforcing the personal experience shared earlier.
  • Concerns are raised about the atmospheric effects of Radon gas, which some suggest could be released before earthquakes and might influence weather conditions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of personal beliefs and anecdotal evidence regarding "earthquake weather," but no consensus is reached on the validity of the concept or its scientific basis.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes subjective interpretations of weather conditions and personal experiences, which may not be universally applicable or scientifically validated.

Math Is Hard
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I have heard people talk about "earthquake weather" and we had weird weather today. Hazy and very hot with warm winds. The weather website said it was 90 degrees F at sundown.

This was copied from another thread where Math Is Hard experienced an earthquake while making a post - Ivan
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=260674
 
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Math Is Hard said:
I have heard people talk about "earthquake weather" and we had weird weather today. Hazy and very hot with warm winds. The weather website said it was 90 degrees F at sundown.

I think there is something to this claim for two reasons: First, my dad inadvertently predicted the 1971 Sylmar quake. The night before while we were all seated for dinner, out of the blue, he looked out the window and announced that this was earthquake weather. He never said that before or since. And beyond this, there was a strange calm in the air that night. It is difficult to identify precisely any characteristic, but a strange calm is the best that I can recall. Perhaps it relates to reduced activity for birds and other animals - possibly sensing precursive activity. Or, maybe we can sense pressure changes in advance of some quakes... And there is some evidence that Radon is released in advance of some quakes, so I wonder if this might have an effect on the atmosphere. I distinctly recall that the sun was setting when we sat for dinner, and the sky did look unusual. We all noticed it, and this seemed to be what caught my dad's eye. [edit: Hazy is a word that sort of works for me, but I have thought about this from time to time, and I suspect that there may even be something to the color of the sky... not sure. It has been too long]

Years later I asked him about this. He didn't even remember saying it, but having grown up in earthquake country, he guessed that it was instinctive. He didn't recall anyone telling him about it or what might be the indicators.
 
Last edited:
Ivan Seeking said:
I think there is something to this claim for two reasons: First, my dad inadvertently predicted the 1971 Sylmar quake. The night before while we were all seated for dinner, out of the blue, he looked out the window and announced that this was earthquake weather. He never said that before or since. And beyond this, there was a strange calm in the air that night. It is difficult to identify precisely any characteristic, but a strange calm is the best that I can recall. Perhaps it relates to reduced activity for birds and other animals - possibly sensing precursive activity. Or, maybe we can sense pressure changes in advance of some quakes... And there is some evidence that Radon is released in advance of some quakes, so I wonder if this might have an effect on the atmosphere. I distinctly recall that the sun was setting when we sat for dinner, and the sky did look unusual. We all noticed it, and this seemed to be what caught my dad's eye. [edit: Hazy is a word that sort of works for me, but I have thought about this from time to time, and I suspect that there may even be something to the color of the sky... not sure. It has been too long]

Years later I asked him about this. He didn't even remember saying it, but having grown up in earthquake country, he guessed that it was instinctive. He didn't recall anyone telling him about it or what might be the indicators.

I think there's something to it, also.
 
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