If future study reveals silent earthquakes to be a common feature of most large faults, then scientists will be forced to revisit long-held doctrines about all earthquakes.

• 如果未来的研究结果显示，无声地震是多数大型断层一个常见的特徵，那麽科学家就得重新审视长久以来所遵奉的各种地震学说。