Anomalous seismicity prior to rock bursts: Implications for earthquake prediction

Anomalous seismicity changes (increase followed by a decrease) were recorded prior to three moderate rock bursts in the Star mine, Burke, Idaho. In each case, based upon the anomalous seismicity behavior, miners were evacuated or were prohibited from entering active mine stopes that were located in the immediate vicinity of the seismicity buildup prior to the bursts. Analyses of pre- and post-seismic activity are interpreted in terms of, and shown to be consistent with, the inclusion theory of failure. Implications of these observational results for the problem of rock bursts and earthquake prediction are discussed.