More recently, scientists have begun seeking reliable indicators of imminent earthquake activity in an effort to reduce the huge financial and human costs of major quakes.
由於大地震所帶來的財產及人員傷亡實在太過驚人，如何找出地牛翻身前各種「不尋常」的蛛絲馬跡，也成為近年來各國科學家努力的目標。