Did dolphins know that the earthquake would happen!?

On the day before the Hanshin-Awaji earthquake, one dolphin showed different behavior from the other dolphins, not obeying the instructor in the Suma Marine Park dolphin show. After the earthquake, mass media took this story up and reported it as "Dolphin knew about the earthquake to come". So did dolphins know the earthquake was coming? Do they have such abilities? What kind of animals are dolphins? Can animals feel some signs from earthquakes? Many questions come up one after another.

Dolphin's actions are not simple and differ every day. Dolphins are very sensitive and moody. So if I was asked "Was the action of the dolphin like on the day before the earthquake the first time he or she displayed that particular behavior?", I would say "Yes. But it could happen at any time." I don't think we can say that dolphins knew the earthquake would come in advance even if they might be able to detect the subtle changes in the electric and magnetic fields and ionized aerosol.

This story might seem hopeless. However there is some hope in earthquake prediction using animals. In China, some positive results have been reported. In my opinion, it is sometimes useless and leads to misunderstanding to be preoccupied with the idea that animals in nature can detect natural phenomena such as earthquakes. When accidents happen, it is important for us to understand the truth behind the facts well and judge them and then take action.