Can earthquakes be predicted?

The answer

Despite decades of research, reliable short-term earthquake prediction remains impossible. The chaotic nature of fault interactions makes it infeasible to pinpoint exactly when and where a quake will strike. However, seismologists can make long-term probabilistic forecasts based on fault geometry, historical patterns, and strain accumulation. Japan and Mexico have developed early warning systems that detect the first seismic waves and send alerts seconds to minutes before the destructive shaking arrives - enough time to take cover.