Abnormal animal behaviour as a precursor of the 7 December 1988 Spitak,Armenia, earthquake

This paper relates some facts about abnormal animal behaviour prior to several Armenian earthquakes. The catastrophic Spitak, northern Armenia, earthquake of 7 December 1988, M = 7, I ₀ = X, was preceded by extensive occurrences of abnormal animal behaviour. Proof was established by questioning residents in the area and by distributing specially prepared questionnaires shortly after the event. Approximately 200 reports from 50 sites were examined. The raw data recorded included lists of different types and locations of species that have shown abnormal responses to an impending earthquake, distribution of anomalous occurrences over the area, and precursor times. It is concluded that specially conducted observations of animal behaviour as a possible premonitory phenomenon is both useful and necessary.