Rodney Towner, age 11, of Fayetterlee, North Carolina, for his question:

Can scientists predict earthquakes?

This is one of the dreams of modern earth scientists. Seismologists are striving toward the day when they can predict the exact place and time of an earthquake. Then the population can be warned in time to evacuate the area before disaster strikes. At present, such precise predictions are impossible. However, experts can tell where major quakes are likely to happen. Temblors occur along certain faulty cracks in the earth's crust. Scientists can chart    these faults, along with their past histories of dis¬turbances. With this data, they can predict that an earthquake can be expected in a certain region during the next few years or decades.

Our seismologists have plans for the precise prediction of disastrous quakes. They need many sensitive seismology stations, spotted far and wide. These would keep detailed records of underground disturbances. These deep disturbances warn when and where a major quake is getting itself ready to happen. Such extensive plans cost money  but they are far less costly than major quakes that ruin buildings and also take precious human lives.