Scientists are researching animal behaviors, particularly in goats and dogs, to predict earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. They will utilize advanced monitoring technology to study these animals’ movements from space, aiming to provide insights into natural phenomena, disease patterns, and climate change impact. Initial results indicate goats show discernible behavioral changes before volcanic eruptions, while farm animals may forecast earthquakes. This research is part of a broader initiative leveraging modern tracking technology to enhance wildlife monitoring.
In an innovative approach to predicting natural disasters, scientists are engaging various animals, including goats and dogs, in research intended to forecast earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. This initiative utilizes tiny transmitters attached to these creatures to monitor their behaviors, drawing insights from their movements, which will be observed from a new satellite launch next year. The researchers aim to enhance understanding of wildlife responses to natural events and broader ecological issues, including migration patterns and the impact of climate change.
The project, led by Martin Wikelski from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour, seeks to establish a global observation network for tracking animal health and behavioral responses to natural phenomena. Initial findings in Sicily revealed that goats exhibited signs of anxiety and altered behavior prior to volcanic eruptions. Additionally, studies conducted in the Abruzzo mountains indicated that various farm animals showed behavioral changes that successfully predicted major earthquakes in the region over the past twelve years.
Historical accounts of animals acting strangely before natural disasters, as documented by Thucydides, highlight the long-standing curiosity regarding this phenomenon. The underlying causes for such behaviors may relate to the physical changes in the environment, such as the release of ions into the air during tectonic shifts. The project, known as the International Cooperation for Animal Research Using Space (Icarus), aims to leverage technological advancements in tagging animals to monitor health and behavior in unprecedented detail, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of animal reactions to geological changes.
Icarus demonstrates the revolutionary potential of modern technology, as tagging devices are now smaller and more efficient, enabling the tracking of numerous species worldwide. This advancement not only aids in predicting natural disasters but also enhances wildlife disease monitoring, with electronic ear tags effectively indicating the health status of wild boar populations at risk of African swine fever. Furthermore, understanding animal migrations in the context of global warming and habitat changes is a critical focus of this research.
Despite initial setbacks related to collaborative efforts with Russian scientists, the project adapts by developing a small satellite, the Icarus CubeSat, set for launch shortly. The long-term vision encompasses a network of satellites that will significantly deepen scientific comprehension regarding animal movement, behavioral patterns, and the interplay between wildlife and their environments.
The exploration of animal behavior as a predictive tool for natural disasters such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions has historical roots and is currently gaining momentum due to technological advancements. The project employs cutting-edge tagging technology that allows researchers to monitor a diverse range of animal movements. These observations seek to uncover correlations between behavioral changes exhibited by animals and impending natural events, as well as to assess implications for wildlife health and migration in the context of climate change.
In conclusion, the ambition to utilize animals as indicators of impending natural disasters exemplifies an innovative fusion of wildlife research and technology. The insights gleaned from tracking animal behaviors may not only enhance predictive capabilities regarding earthquakes and eruptions but also facilitate broader ecological assessments, including disease dynamics and migration patterns. As the Icarus project progresses, it holds significant promise for enriching our understanding of animal responses to environmental changes and contributing to global scientific knowledge.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
