Social tension as precursor of large damaging earthquake: Legend or reality?

Abstract

Using case study of earthquake (EQ) activity and war conflicts in Caucasus during 1975-2002 time interval and correlation analysis of global distribution of damaging EQs and war-related social tension during 1901-2005 period we conclude: - There is a statistically reliable increase of social tension several years (or several months in case study) before damaging EQs,- There is evident decrease of social tension several years after damaging EQs, probably due to society consolidation,- Preseismic effect is absent for the large EQs in unpopulated areas,- There is some factual background for legendary belief in Almighty retribution for social abnormal behavior. © 2008. This work is distributed under.