Scientists at MIT have made a remarkable breakthrough that could revolutionize how we understand and prepare for earthquakes, bringing us closer to a future where communities can better protect themselves from seismic disasters.

In an innovative study led by geophysicist Matěj Peč and his team, researchers have successfully mapped out exactly where earthquake energy goes—a puzzle that has challenged scientists for generations. Using ingenious "lab quakes" created in carefully controlled conditions, they've discovered fascinating insights about the hidden dynamics of earthquakes.

The findings reveal that only about 1% to 10% of an earthquake's energy actually causes the ground shaking we experience, while 1% to 30% goes into fracturing rock and creating new surfaces. Most remarkably, the vast majority of energy heats up the area around the epicenter, sometimes even melting surrounding material—a dramatic process happening unseen beneath our feet.

What makes this research particularly exciting is what it means for future earthquake preparedness. Lead author Daniel Ortega-Arroyo, PhD '25, explains that a region's geological history—essentially what the rocks "remember"—significantly influences how destructive an earthquake might be. This groundbreaking understanding means scientists can now better assess which areas are more or less vulnerable to future seismic events.

The research team's creative approach involved subjecting specially prepared samples of powdered granite and magnetic particles to increasing pressure in a custom-built apparatus, creating miniature earthquakes in the lab. While simplified, these lab quakes provide invaluable insights into what occurs during natural earthquakes, offering a window into processes that are nearly impossible to measure in real-world conditions.

The implications are wonderfully promising. If scientists can determine how much shaking a past earthquake generated, they may soon be able to estimate how that quake's energy affected deep underground rocks through melting or fracturing. This knowledge could help communities understand their region's vulnerability and take appropriate protective measures.

This research represents a significant step forward in earthquake science, transforming our understanding from reactive to proactive. Rather than simply responding to earthquakes after they occur, we're moving toward a future where we can better anticipate their impacts based on geological history and underground conditions.

The work demonstrates the power of innovative thinking in tackling complex scientific challenges. By bringing earthquakes into the laboratory, these researchers have made the unmeasurable measurable, opening doors to predictions and preparations that could save countless lives in earthquake-prone regions around the world.

As our understanding deepens, communities living in seismically active areas can look forward to increasingly sophisticated early warning systems and building standards informed by this cutting-edge research. Every scientific breakthrough like this brings us one step closer to a safer, more resilient world where the destructive power of earthquakes can be better anticipated and mitigated.