Chinese quake prediction system to operate with 1 year

WATCH VIDEO

Source: CCTV.com | 05-11-2009 15:17

The Chinese government is working hard on an earthquake prediction system, with trial operations possible within a year.

A tour guide speaks to tourists at the Donghekou Earthquake  Site Park in Qingchuan County in China's southwest Sichuan  province.

Officials say the system can't offer effective and instructive predictions for every quake. It's a procedure of gradual perfection. If the epicenter is in the ocean, the warning could be sent out in 2 or 3 minutes. But if the epicenter is on land, the warning could be sent out in perhaps just a few seconds. The warning interval is brief, but experts say when it comes to saving lives, every second counts.

Du Wei, Deputy director of Quake Prevention Dept. of China Earthquake Admin., said, "Though the time can be extremely limited, we believe it's vital for minimizing casualties and economic losses. We will spare no efforts to promote the technology development in this field, and its application in the active quake areas."

Editor:Liu Anqi