Hi Steven,

The question you present is one I asked a long time ago. I tried an experiment when one day I was standing outside and got a right ear tone. I tried turning at each compass point NSEW and found that the earthquake arrived in the south, just as it always does when I hear it in my right ear.

Given your location, you are not so much North and South as I am situated, so it takes a bit of experience in keeping records to know when a particular sound arrives, from whence it comes.

I have been able over time to discern the following, which may be of help to you or others:

1. The clear sound, is of tectonic nature.
2. An unclear scratchy sound is volcanic.
3. A sound like when your head is underwater, is an off shore sound. It comes from the ocean.

Not unlike people who suffer head aches in advance of earthquakes, they seem to know from which part of their head where the quake will come from.

Then we take the additional elements in assessing the distance: If it is loud, its closer, if its softer and lasts longer its at a distance. If its quite loud, then you know its going to be a large quake. Even quakes that occur at a great distance produce a sound that is like being closer, however, the length of the sound lets you know, its not close. People actually find after much perseverance each fault actually makes a sound of its own based upon the geologic structure. In one case in point someone I know hears a wine glass sound from a certain fault. This is most unusual, but it only comes from one place. I've only heard this sound one time and as it has been months ago, I can't recall where it came from. I should be taking better notes.

So be vigilant, persistent and keep your notes going and in time you will discover the where, and eventually, the timing mechanism as well. Keep asking the questions until you find you have a satisfactory answer to them. Remember, this is still exploratory science and needs much research.

Pat