CATASTROPHIC EVENT FORECASTING SYSTEM AND METHOD

摘要

The invention relates to systems and methods for forecasting catastrophic events. An embodiment of such a system includes at least one measuring station, the measuring station including means for generating a reproducible non-equilibrium process within a local environment having a detectable energy state at a given time and means for measuring an indicia of the detectable energy state of a portion of the local environment simultaneous with the generation of the reproducible non-equilibrium process. The system also includes means for determining when the indicia of the energy state of a portion of the local environment will be at a minimum, whereby the determination of when the indicia of the energy state of a portion of the local environment will be at a minimum gives an approximate time of occurrence of the catastrophic event. The invention also includes a method for forecasting catastrophic events, comprising the steps of periodically generating a reproducible non-equilibrium process within a local environment having a detectable energy state at a given time, measuring an indicia of the detectable energy state of a portion of the local environment during generation of the non-equilibrium process, and approximating when an impending catastrophic event will occur from the measurements of the indicia of the detectable energy state of a portion of the local environment during successive generations of the non-equilibrium process.