A method of using magnets to make a simple "earthquake predictor" has recently been circulating online - hanging a magnet can predict a major earthquake in advance? Recently, a method for predicting earthquakes has begun to circulate online - hanging a magnet that adsorbs iron blocks at a high altitude. Before an earthquake, the Earth's magnetic field will change, and the magnet will not be able to catch the iron block. The sound of the iron block falling can serve as a warning. Many netizens will see this message on QQ groups: according to international organizations' predictions, the Earth will enter an earthquake year this year. Here, we recommend a method for earthquake prediction to friends: hang a magnet with a rope at a high place, facing the floor tile or an iron basin, and stick a large iron block on the magnet. Before an earthquake, the Earth's magnetic field undergoes drastic changes, causing the magnet to lose its magnetism, causing iron blocks to fall off and land on tiles or pots, making a noise. This method will give an early warning before the house shakes, with a warning time of 10 minutes to tens of seconds. Posts with this method have been reposted more online, and some netizens have expressed doubts about it. Yesterday, staff from the Beijing Earthquake Administration stated that this method has no scientific basis at all.

With the continuous increase in public attention towards the Yushu earthquake in Qinghai, a piece of news has started to spread crazily online, with some even selling a "warning" magnet online to make a fortune.

The instrument is said to be able to predict earthquakes online: "Hang a magnet on a rope and attach a large iron block to it. Before an earthquake, the Earth's magnetic field undergoes a drastic change, causing the magnet to lose its magnetism. The iron block falls and makes a noise, which will give an early warning before the house shakes. The warning time is 10 minutes to tens of seconds, and if it falls, a major earthquake will occur

Can hanging magnets predict earthquakes?

The reporter learned through online investigation that this mysterious news has been widely circulated for several days, and has been reposted and posted by many netizens on various forums such as NetEase, Baidu, Douban, and so on. On Taobao, there even appeared three online stores, including "Feilong 93908955", openly selling "magnets for earthquake prediction". A coin sized magnet sold for 30 yuan.