Ozone from cracks in earth could help forecast quakes

Scientists have been trying to figure out easier, more efficient methods to forecast earthquakes for over 50 years. They might have found a new tool for their arsenal. The natural gas, ozone, which is a byproduct of electrical discharges into the air. Normally, ozone is discharged from lightning, however, now new findings show that ozone can be released from rocks breaking under immense pressures. Scientists have been drilling into different types of rocks and have discovered that different types of rocks produce different amounts of ozone. They have realized that rocks that have been under pressure prior to an earthquake will build up ozone from the high amounts of stress being put on them. Bedrock such as granite, basalt, and rhyolite were tested and produced some of the highest amounts of ozone gas. This latest discovery has scientists very excited, if rocks along faults under pressure produce amounts of ozone that are detectable, there is a high chance of much more accurate earthquake forecasting/predictions.


http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/wiredscience/2011/11/earthquake-cracks-road-flickr-martinluff.jpg

Article:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111117154635.htm