Theories have been proposed, but most have fallen flat every time the earth slipped beneath our feet. While many scientists say that it is possible to predict temblors, many have given up, terming research an exercise in futility.

But at a laboratory in IIT Madras students are working on a Rs 3 crore satellite project which will try to take ahead research on the elusive prediction model. The nano-satellite IITMSAT will carry only one payload into low earth orbit by mid-2016. It will detect charged particles circling the earth through a plastic scintillation detector measuring 500sqcm.The detector will illuminate when particles (electrons and protons) circling the earth in the Van Allen belt precipitate towards low earth orbit.

The Van Allen belt is a radiation belt consisting of fast diation belt consisting of fastmoving particles. It absorbs energy and particles from the sun. The inner belt begins about 650km from the earth's surface and extends up to 9,600km while the second belt stretches from 13,500km to 58,000km.

The components of the satellite -weighing 12kg with a year's shelf life ­ are presently undergoing tests. They will be integrated within a month and final tests will be conducted by Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) by year-end.

The purpose of the satellite is to validate a theory that pressure generated in the tectonic plates before an earthquake emits low frequency waves which interact with the Van Allen belt leading to a sudden discharge of charged particles. Fluctuations in the particles could be due to varied reasons and one among them is believed to be earthquakes.

The theory, which is yet to be accepted by the scientific community , if proven, will go a long way in developing an earthquake prediction model Dean planning, David Koilpil lai, said IITMSAT will detect particles when they precipitate towards the low earth orbit Data gathered at the ground station, which will be located in IIT-M campus, will be corroborated with any natural event that may have occurred in a specific location on earth during that time. "The detector will illuminate when the particles bounce on it during an electron and proton burst and precipitate towards the earth," he said. "But even if we are not able to prove the theory, we will still gather data," he added.

Retired Isro scientist R K Rajangam, who periodically reviews the project, said the instrument will be calibrated at facilities in Pune and Mumbai. "There is no doubt the satellite will send phenomenal amount of data," he said."Building a satellite is not easy. The students are getting a good exposure," said Rajangam.

