WHY WE CAN'T PREDICT EARTHQUAKES?

Please try to watch the excellent Horizon programme about Earthquake prediction, it is on four times in the next few days! Try to record it and watch later if necessary!

Last century, earthquakes killed over one million, and it is predicted that this century might see ten times as many deaths. Yet when an earthquake strikes, it always takes people by surprise.

So why hasn't science worked out how to predict when and where the next big quake is going to happen? This is the story of the men and women who chase earthquakes and try to understand this mysterious force of nature.

Journeying to China's Sichuan Province, which still lies devastated by the earthquake that struck in May 2008, as well as the notorious San Andreas Fault in California, Horizon asks why science has so far fallen short of answering this fundamental question.

BBC4 Thursday 8pm
BBC 4 Friday 1am
BBC4 Saturday 8pm
BBC 4 Sunday 2am