Lazaridou-Varotsos M. Earthquake Prediction by Seismic Electric Signals. The Success of the VAN Method over Thirty Years

Springer, 2013. — 259 p. — (Springer Praxis Books).I wrote this book for two main reasons.
Firstly, I wanted to explain that the investigation did not start in 1981 out of nowhere. In the 1970s, Varotsos and Alexopoulos published numerous scientific articles in international journals, and wrote a monograph called Thermodynamics of Point Defects in Solid State Physics. The monograph was completed and submitted for scientific evaluation in 1980 and eventually published by the international publisher North Holland in 1986 (Figure 2.1). The VAN experimental measurements are just an application of this theoretical work, as I explain in Section 2.1.
My second reason for writing this book is, by describing the research which began 30 years ago and continues to this day, to highlight the enormous difficulties that can be met by a research effort. I am addressing mainly young researchers here − those who dream of achieving something in life, those who dare to follow unfamiliar and difficult paths, to those who make targets to resolve some of the unsolved problems of Science. I am addressing them. I want to inform them of what they might encounter in their path and to pass on this message: They must know that the path of their effort is long and difficult, and mostly impassable. It will hurt; it will deprive many of their personal lives. They will be pressed, perhaps even by those around them, to leave. Many will be disappointed and, if they do not have enough strength, will stop. In the long history of humankind, there are countless such examples. If, however, they have faith in that research and the strength to continue, then the adventure is exciting, even magical, and it will bring a sense to their lives. They should be prepared for any eventuality. If they succeed, they will feel complete satisfaction, because they have achieved their purpose. However, despite their long and arduous efforts, they may fail. Nevertheless, believe me, they will feel complete because they tried with all their might. The conclusions of their efforts will be useful, even in that situation. In addition, always remember the maxim of our ancient Greek ancestors: It is bad to fail, but it’s much worse never to have tried.Earthquakes, seismology and the VAN earthquake prediction method
The development of the VAN research on earthquake prediction
The procedure for the measurements: The telemetric VAN network and how the epicenter and magnitude are predicted
First international evaluation of VAN, 1984
Two powerful earthquakes, 1986
Disastrous earthquakes in Killini-Vartholomio, 1988
The French interest in VAN
Second International Evaluation of VAN, 1990
Disastrous earthquakes in Pirgos, 1993: The public warning
Third international evaluation of VAN, 1992, 1995
The United Nations recommendation on VAN, 1994
VAN evaluations, 1995, 1996
Earthquake at Chalkidiki, 1995: The success of the prediction
Earthquake in Grevena-Kozani, 1995
Disastrous earthquake at Eratini-Egion, 1995
The International Prize of the Onassis Foundation, 1995
Disastrous Athens earthquake, 1999
A new concept of time and its applications: Natural time
Earthquake in the northern Aegean Sea, 2001
Publicizing predictions: Changes from 2006
Earthquake in southwestern Greece, 2008
Earthquake between Patras and Pirgos, 2008
The VAN earthquake prediction method in other countries: Current viewsThis book series presents the whole spectrum of Earth Sciences, Astronautics and Space Exploration. Practitioners will find exact science and complex engineering solutions explained scientifically correct but easy to understand.
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