Bacteria in Earthquake Prediction?

My question in DicCNet ( American Society for Microbiology) on 20/07/2010.
-----------V.Palanivelan.

[divc] Bacteria in Earthquake Prediction?
Tuesday, 20 July, 2010 9:55 PM
From:
"V.Palanivelan."
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"DivC"
Dear Friends,
Since ancient times people have believed that animals can sense impending earthquakes. Animals behavior may be unusual before earthquakes. Example: Chances of earthquake are found high when 1) Dogs start barking and howling unusually,2) Birds start twittering loudly and start flying high towards sky.

Can we use bacteria in earthquake Prediction by monitoring the motility or enzymatic activity of bacterial cells in a particular region? Is it possible?

With Regards,
V.Palanivelan,
Microbiologist,
Hiran Agroceuticals Pvt.Ltd,
Madurai-2
Tamil Nadu,INDIA.

I got two replies for above question from microbiologists around the world.

1) Re: [divc] Bacteria in Earthquake Prediction?
Tuesday, 20 July, 2010 10:15 PM
From:
"John and Lucy James"
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Magnetotactic bacteria would be a possibility.

John F. James, Ph.D., MPH, D(ABMM)

Retired Microbiologist
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2) RE: [divc] Bacteria in Earthquake Prediction?
Tuesday, 20 July, 2010 10:33 PM
From:
"Garner, Omai"
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This paper suggests that magnetotatic bacteria could be used for earthquake prediction.

http://www.gps.caltech.edu/~jkirschvink/pdfs/earthquakeprediction.pdf



Omai Garner, Ph.D
Postdoctoral Fellow
UCLA Clinical Microbiology Laboratory
P: 310-794-2722
F: 310-794-2765
E: ogarner@mednet.ucla.edu

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