Elephants can sense subtle seismic vibrations associated with earthquakes. These vibrations travel through the ground and are detected through their feet. Observations suggest elephants move to higher ground or become agitated before seismic events. While still being studied, the evidence is compelling. Their sensitivity far exceeds human perception.
It matters because animals may provide early warning signs for natural disasters. Elephants could become part of future monitoring systems.
It also reinforces how deeply connected elephants are to Earth’s physical processes. They experience the planet differently than we do.
In multiple regions, elephants were observed reacting hours before major earthquakes. Their movements matched later seismic data precisely.
US Geological Survey (usgs.gov)