Scientists knew that seismic activity increases five days before a break-off, but by combining the motion of the glacier with the
icequake activity, the new model can detect a rupture 15 days in advance.
Instead, the researchers note in an upcoming Journal of Geophysical Research (Earth Surface), it was the duration of an
icequake that correlated with the amount of ice shed during the event.
As explained by Science Daily, lead author Zhigang Peng, an associate professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, said "We interpret these events as small
icequakes, most of which were triggered during or immediately after the passing of long-period Rayleigh waves generated from the Chilean main shock.