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Anna Esperanza Q. Legaspi Ms. Benz Huera Eng2 E1-4R February 18, 2011

Peculiar Animal Behaviours as a Probable Basis of an Incoming Disaster Almost every year, major disasters happen, and most of the time, they are unexpected, consequently killing hundreds of people and destroying millions of properties. Several of these disasters just happened not even a century ago, such as the massive 2004 tsunami that hit Sri Lanka, India and other Asian countries, the 1976 Tangshan earthquake in China and the violent typhoons that flooded Philippines such as Ondoy. In the face of all those terrors, many were surprised by how much animals survived and left unharmed compared to human casualties. A recent example of this was showcased in the tsunami last December 26, 2004. In a news article written by Maryann Mott, it was said that the giant waves created by a magnitude 9 earthquake from the coast of northern Sumatra Island, caused death of almost 150,000 people from different countries. On the other hand, only a small number of animals died, compared to the number of human casualties, stirring up yet again the idea that animals might have the ability to feel arriving calamities (Animals sensed the tsunami? 1). Moreover, odd behaviours of some animals were observed before the monstrous tsunami from the Indian Ocean hit the shores of Sri Lanka and India. Elephants, flamingos, dogs and zoo animals showed signs of agitation and panic while some left their habitats. These behaviours somewhat indicated that wild and domestic animals recognized the impending disaster and escaped danger (Animals sensed the tsunami? 1).

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In fact, this notion that animals sense coming disasters dates back even from long ago. In the ancient times, groups of animals leaving the Greek city, Helice, days before disasters destroyed the area were noted down by biographers. Since then, reports of such phenomena have kept on emerging for more than a hundred years. Stories like fish swimming aggressively, insects leaving their homes and fowls stop laying eggs have also been told. Domestic animals like cats and dogs demonstrating peculiar behaviours like making unnecessary noises and signs of agitation were also asserted by owners (Mott, Animals Sense Earthquakes? 1). All over the world, though not constantly, occasional strange animal behaviours are witnessed by people before disasters come, especially those caused by earthquakes. As humans continue to search for new mechanisms and methods to survive the wrath of nature, the use of nature itself to counter it might not be a bad idea. In this sense, the peculiar behaviours that animals are showing prior to earthquakes or other disasters can be exploited to predict incoming major disasters in the future. Ever since humans realized the danger of volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis to their survival, they have been searching for more effective methods of predicting their arrival. But they later discovered that even with the most hi-tech instruments, it is almost impossible to predict each and every impending disaster. One instance is the earthquake that hit Parkfield, California. A team of seismologists supposed an earthquake would hit nearby areas of Parkfield, California sometime between 1984 until 1992 since some tremors had disturbed them repeatedly. They hoped that by strictly examining the area, they could predict the next massive hit. Nothing came in 1988 until 1992. The awaited earthquake at last hit in 2004. Even after research, nothing came out that couldve helped them predict the quake (McCollum 59).

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Indeed, of the many natural phenomena that occur in earth every year, earthquakes can be considered as one of the most unpredictable. Thats because many different causes involve the birth of earthquakes, thus making it difficult to really settle for a single theory that causes them, or even so predict them. Still, recent advances in earthquake predicting help lessen casualties and destructions of properties of major disasters. Consequently, scientists apply numerous methods to predict earthquakes since one method would probably be not enough to surmount the unpredictability of this phenomenon. Earthquake forecast encompasses an extensive time scope. Many factors have been considered in predicting them: specific area. Seismic data shock waves. To alert incidence of earthquake activity, instruments Geological history. Past information offer indications of earthquakes occurring in a

like seismographs record seismic movements which scientists interpret to discover more about the earthquakes. Electromagnetic measurements. When the crust are bent or buckled, the electrical

and magnetic characteristics of rocks can alter. The magnetic field, electromagnetic field and electrical resistance variations in rocks surrounding a fault are recorded by apparatuses. Fluid pressure changes. Groundwater level changes are evidenced to change before

earthquakes. These changes can be precursors of possible earth tremors. Seismic hazard maps. In these maps, distinct factors like old earthquake records

and geological conditions are merged with what is called attenuation relations which tells about the connection between earth movement and the magnitude of an occurrence and the remoteness from the epicentre. The maps are intended to be included into construction systems of buildings

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and other structures and are utilized to create earthquake shaking levels that may possibly take place. These maps aid in finding the location of the next earthquakes (Chester 191-192,194-195). Considering all these information, plus the numerous advances in sciences rising up lately, it would seem that there is a possibility to predict every incoming tremor. It cannot be denied that experts understand a lot about earthquakes; however, forecasting them is still difficult. On the other hand, while humans keep using technology and modern science to predict disasters, animals, even without the gadgets, have their own ways of sensing dangers around them. They may be predators, changes in the environment or human threats. The mechanism which they use in detecting them, however, still requires a lot of investigating. Meanwhile, one basis that animals are responding to a particular environmental change is by observing their behaviour. In Kappelers book, behaviour is deemed as one of the most adaptive characteristics of animals and usually mirrors different responses on these organisms depending on the actions of others, or on the fluctuations in their environment (587). For example, animals fleeing to safety tell us that a predator might be lurking around the area. Animals detecting environmental changes are also evident in migrants. Migrations typically depend on changing seasons, thus when animals migrate, it denotes that theres a way for animals to know when it varies. Navigation in animals is also an example. Animals do not have maps or compasses in navigating their way to their destinations but they were still able to reach them. In a research by Gretel and Sheila Schuelle they said that in birds, navigation means recognizing the right way to their destination. To get there, birds must be on track even after fierce weather conditions, and sometimes, they must land or evade large bodies of deserts and water. They further said that, birds use their own routing instruments. These consist of some heavenly bodies, smells, noises and earths magnetic field (25).

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These facts show us that animals effectively sense their environment. Whether the change is a living organism or a non-living occurrence, animals react to them on the purpose of increasing their survival. Technology and animals have different ways of acting against dangers and detecting fluctuations in the surroundings. Nonetheless, they still aim to achieve for the same matter, to increase survival. It can't really be ascertained which of the two aspects humans should choose to govern the disaster predicting techniques that scientists use, because both are not completely reliable in their own ways. However, combining them might result to a better way of predicting disasters; one fills the shortcomings of the other. On the other hand, just as many researches regarding technological means of predicting disasters have been conducted, there also have been several studies accomplished and theories formulated about animals being used for disaster detection, for instance, a research conducted by scientists at Japans University of Osaka. Their research involved the observation of the behaviour of catfish prior to earthquakes (McCollum 62). In one of Browns article, Etho-Geological Forecasting: Unusual Animal Behavior & Earthquake Prediction, he mentioned and discussed numerous theories that have been suggested by many experts to explain the mysterious ability of animals to sense earthquakes. Some are mentioned below. One is the ultrasound theory. According to a research conducted by Armstrong, writer of Acoustic Emission Prior to Rockburst and Earthquakes in 1969, many animals have better hearing than humans, signifying that some animals may be reacting to ultrasounds coming from the earth.

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Some of the animals that react to earthquakes, however, hear almost like humans. Hence, their unusual behaviour cannot be explained by this theory (as cited in Brown 27). Another is the earth-leaking gas theory. A number of researchers tried to attribute the unusual behaviour of animals before earthquakes to the emissions of radon or other gases coming from the earth. Concentrations of bog gases in the air are known to vary faintly under specific geological conditions and in the regularities of lunar tides. These gases also come to surface when the earth shakes. It is familiar to us that most animals have sharper sense of smell than humans, so it seems logical to mention that animals may be able to smell these surfacing gases and react to them accordingly. As additional proof, it has also been accounted that some animals behave strangely prior to volcanic eruptions (Brown 29). However, according to a research conducted by Chalmers, writer of Atmospheric Electricity in 1967, animal sensitivity to unpleasant smells is an unlikely a chief explanation to strange animal behaviours before earthquakes. It has been proposed, though, that ion and electric field gradient changes caused by radon emissions may be detected by animals sensitive to these kinds of changes (as cited in Brown 32). Another explanation for pre-earthquake animal behaviours is changes in the earths magnetic field, also known as magnetic field theory. Changes in the earths magnetic field, which happen close to earthquake epicentres, may be what animals are detecting before earthquakes (Brown 33). This can be noted from previous discussions about bird migrations. Recall that birds can detect the earths magnetic field as a means of orientation when searching for their destination. Nevertheless, magnetic field changes cannot be the only explanation of strange animal behaviours before earthquakes. However, it might be part of what animals are really detecting

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since electromagnetic signals are closely connected to earthquakes. Further research on magnetism may aid the understanding of what these animals are actually sensing (Brown 34). Another theory is based on piezoelectric effect. Tributsch, writer of When the Snakes Awake, has proposed pre-earthquake behaviours in animals may be caused by a piezoelectric effect, a suggestion which appears more believable than ultrasound and gas-leaking theories. Pressure alterations create electrical charges to the surface of a crystal like quartz. Tributsch said that the piezoelectric effect of quartz can produce sufficient electrical energy for ions to be formed in the air before and during earthquakes. These charging of ions may be what animals are sensing (as cited in Brown 35-38) Brown also mentioned earlier in the article that some animals do have sensitivities to electrical fields, supporting even further this theory. Despite the many attempts to explain the peculiar behaviour of animals due to coming earthquakes, just like the above theories discussed earlier, none of them was able to concretely elucidate the pre-earthquake animal behaviours. Although these theories have limitations, it still doesnt immediately denote that it cannot be used to account for the unusual behaviour of animals. Some theories might not hold true for some species, but for some, they might be the mechanism which they use. Besides, just as humans are different from others of their kind, what more for animals of different species. Since a reproducible explanation still hasnt been conceptualized yet even after many researches, this method of predicting earthquakes has not been given much attention. Nonetheless, there could be more discoveries that can be known about this matter if not for some instances (hindrances) that might be barricading the progress of the research regarding this matter. Perhaps, what stops scientists to conduct further research regarding this matter is the probability of false predictions. Andy Michael, an expert in earth physics at USGS, remarked that several stories of

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strange animal behaviours are being told and there are many factors that make animals respond to some event food, territorial threats, rival species, and breeding pairs making it difficult to discover what causes those pre-earthquake behaviours. USGS conducted some research about animals being used as earthquake detectors in the past, however, Michael added, no solid results were acquired from them. USGS didnt perform any researches from that time on (Mott, Animals sensed the tsunami? 2). From what had said in the article, it seems that some scientists are closing the doors for the researches associated with this phenomenon to be continued. According to Roy Chester, most scientists just consider strange animal behaviour caused by earthquakes as myths. This phenomenon, however, has been certainly witnessed in many regions around the world like in Japan, India and China (192). Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, this phenomenon has existed even in the ancient times. But still, scientists cant pinpoint a connection between earthquake tremors and strange animal behaviours. But for some scientists, a preliminary failure isnt enough to stop this long-existing observation. In Motts article, Sheldrake said that a link between peculiar animal behaviours and ground movement could be deciphered. Just as what the Chinese authorities found out, some earthquakes trigger atypical behaviours to animals while others do not. Only by further studies, disparity between those incidents could be distinguished (Animals Sense Earthquakes? 2). Theres no doubt that there will be false alarms if animals were to be used to predict disasters since not all earthquakes cause unusual animal behaviours and there are many other factors that cause animals to behave strangely. There might be instances where people could confuse a peculiar animal behaviour caused by some other factor with those caused by an

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incoming disaster. But in a same sense, present-day methods of earthquake predicting are also not ideal up till now. There were still notable earthquakes that had happened recently but were failed to be predicted, or earthquakes that were said to be happening but until to this day have not. But just as Sean McCollum said, the value of being prepared must outweigh irritation about an incorrect prediction (64). Thus, even there is a probability of making false predictions, all possible ways that can be used to predict these disasters should be considered. Hence, earthquake prediction with the use of strange animal behaviours should also be well-studied. There is a good chance that humans can discover more about pre-earthquake behaviours of animals if investigations about this matter are approached with an open mind. From the number of peculiar animal behaviours witnessed ever since the earlier periods, it can definitely be claimed that animals do have some unique ways of sensing earthquakes. Hence, what scientists should focus on is how the gap between strange animal behaviours and earthquakes can be bridged and how can strange animal behaviours caused by other factors be differentiated from those caused by earthquakes. Since what most people would be worried of are false alarms, something has to be done to resolve this problem. In Motts article, Sheldrake suggested that what are required are further investigations. He propounded that a hotline or a website be established wherein citizens who noticed strange animal behaviours could send their reports about their observations. Those observations would then be analyzed by machines to determine where they came from. Many reports coming from the same area could tell that an earthquake may be coming there. To avoid false alarms, the reports would first be verified if they did not happen because of other factors that make animals behave strangely. Furthermore, the results from those analyses would be combined with results obtained from instruments used in detecting quakes (Animals

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Sense Earthquakes? 2). A clear connection could also be discovered if most scientists would treat this phenomenon more seriously. Further researches should then be more evident and conducted. In Browns article, he mentioned that in Japan, what researchers refer to as Seismic Animal Anomalous Behaviour is taken with great consideration, which is quite the opposite with their Western counterparts. There were even genetic experiments conducted by some scientists to discover particular genes that programme animal sensitivity to earthquakes, which could be used to make more sensitive animal species (34). Despite of all these, natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions, tsunamis and earthquakes can never be controlled by man from happening. Further study however, lessens the probability of disastrous results (McCollum 71). Its true that in our present day, many researches are still being conducted to overcome the unpredictability of earthquakes to reduce casualties. But most of them are focused on improving traditional methods of predicting them, by the use of technology. However, even though technology keeps on progressing, it still has inadequacies when it comes to earthquake prediction. Nows the time for people, especially scientists, to take into consideration what animals has to offer in helping humans survive natures wrath. If this matter is kept on being treated just like a myth, not much progress would be gained in animal predicting and it would probably remain as folklore forever. If more information were gathered about the peculiar behaviours that animals are showing prior to earthquakes or other disasters, there may be a possibility that this method be further developed to predict incoming major disasters in the future. But just as what Sheldrake said, What is holding this research back is not money but dogmatism and narrow-mindedness" (Mott Animals Sense Earthquakes? 2)

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Works Cited Brown, David Jay. Etho-geological Forecasting: Unusual Animal Behaviors and Earthquake Prediction. Animals and Earthquakes. n.d. 30 Jan 2011. <http://www.animalsandearthquakes.com> Chester, Roy. Furnace of Creation, Cradle of Destruction: A Journey to the Birthplace of Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis. USA: AMACOM, 2008. Mott, Maryann. Can Animals Sense Earhquakes? National Geographic. 11 Nov. 2003. 9 Jan 2011. <http://www.newsnationalgeographic.com> Did Animals Sense Tsunami was Coming?. National Geographic. 4 Jan 2005. 9 Jan 2011. <http://www.news.nationalgeographic.com> McCollum, Sean. Volcanic Eruptions, Earthquakes, and Tsunamis. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2007. Kappeler, Peter, ed., Animal Behavior: Evolution and Mechanisms. Germany: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2010. Schueller, Gretel H. And Sheila K. Schueller. Animal Behavior: Animal Migration. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2009.