Geologist Jim Berkland joins to discuss his methods for predicting earthquakes using tidal flooding tables, lunar cycles, and animal behavior. He explains the seismic significance of the Juan de Fuca Ridge activity off the Oregon and Washington coasts, noting that spreading ridges constantly produce new magma. Art asks whether drilling into a volcanic dome could relieve pressure, but Berkland explains the gas pressure is too immense for such an approach to prevent eruptions.
Berkland reports hitting roughly 75% accuracy in his earthquake predictions over the years and describes how missing animal ads in newspapers have preceded major quakes, including the 1989 World Series earthquake. He predicts a magnitude six or greater quake for Southern California or Southern Nevada during the summer months of 2005 and discusses how record rainfall patterns historically correlate with significant seismic events.
Key Moments
The geologist who got suspended for being right: Art reintroduces Berkland: a working California county geologist who was suspended from his government job for publicly predicting earthquakes using lunar perigee tide tables, then quietly thanked when the quakes hit and told never to do it again.
Sumatra: no animal bodies found: Art and Berkland discuss the eerie reports after the December 2004 Sumatra quake and tsunami - human bodies everywhere but no large mammals, elephants visibly heading uphill before the wave hit. Berkland says it 'caused a lot of communication my way.'
Earthquake-sensitive humans and the pineal gland: Berkland reports that 14 people - 13 women, one man - have written to him describing crippling three-day headaches that hit them in the middle of the forehead before earthquakes, with the pain lifting at the moment of the quake. He links the location to the pineal gland.
Record rainfall, drought, and the coming jolt: Art notes Southern California has had its rainiest winter in recorded history. Berkland cites a 1978 USC study showing every 6+ Southern California quake from 1900-1972 was preceded by a drought, then explains reservoir-induced seismicity using Boulder Dam to argue heavy water loading is now setting the stage.
On-air prediction: 6+ quake by summer 2005: Berkland goes on the record predicting a magnitude 6-plus earthquake in southern Nevada or southern California by summer 2005, naming June, July and August as the highest-tide window and singling out July 21 - a near-perigee full moon close to the equinox - as the most likely date.