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When an earthquake or a volcanic eruption strikes, you sometimes hear that the wild animals of the area took refuge long before. Can this be true?

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3,000+ years ago, Chinese scholars were convinced that animals can predict natural disasters. When the scholars observed wild and domesticated animals’ behaviour – including fish, reptiles, birds, mammals, and even insects – they could be warned of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions hours, days, or even weeks before they took place.

Volcanoes and earthquakes emit a series of warnings, before the disaster strikes – such as temperature changes, minor vibrations, and gas leaks, which the animals' highly sensitive senses are better at picking up than any measuring equipment. Scientists from all over the world have collected reports about animal behaviour and discussed the phenomenon for many years, but only recently they got to see it for themselves.

When the Etna volcano erupted a number of times in 2012-2014, and central Italy was struck by earthquakes in 2016 and 2017, scientists managed to demonstrate that animals reacted during the hours before. Goats and sheep left Etna’s slopes prior the events, instead seeking out places with high vegetation – an indication that such areas are rarely struck by lava flows. The scientists concluded that animals are conscious of looming natural disasters at least 4-6 hours before they strike.

Smell gas and feel tremors

When an earthquake or a volcanic eruption is under way, the underground changes. Thanks to their high sensitivity, animals can identify the changes and leave, before the disaster strikes.