Chemical changes in groundwater may precede larger earthquakes. In the future, such changes might be used to predict major earthquakes.
The phenomenon is described in an article in the journal Nature Geoscience. The explanation could be that it was facing a major quake is built up tensions that create cracks in the crust, so that the substances will leak out and change the composition of groundwater.
However there could be other explanations for the change in the chemistry of the groundwater. It may also happen that some findings in this study are specific to the Island. This phenomenon needs to be studied more before you can say if it will be used as a general method to predict earthquakes.
Today, there are ways to, to some extent, predict all kinds of major natural disasters except just earthquakes . Therefore, further research in this area vital, writes two other geologists in a commentary article in the journal.
reference: Skelton, A et al. Changes in groundwater chemistry before two Consecutive earthquakes in Iceland. Nature Geoscience, DOI: 10.1038 / NGEO2250.
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