A natural disaster in Taiwan 11 years ago may hold the key to a scientific breakthrough. Researchers of the National Central University recently proved that seismic waves of the 921 earthquake in 1999 have actually caused disturbances in the space. And the discovery may lead to improvements in the prediction of earthquakes and tsunamis.

Eleven years ago, the 921 earthquake caused strong tremors in Taiwan. With China also experiencing a 7.3-magnitude earthquake which sent shock waves into outer space.

The study was also published in a number of top international geophysical journals.

Scholars used a GPS receiver and space satellites to measure the occurrence of beats in space time and location, to find the source of vibration caused by space, and seismic surface waves reaching into space and the energy amplified 10,000 times.

Earth based and outer space seismic research can potentially provide a half hour to hour warning potentially leading to early tsunami warnings.

In the future, this research could also lead to earthquake early-warning capabilities, as well as unlocking other earthquake and space related research.