Researchers at Missouri University of Science and Technology are working to make Americans safer by finding a way to predict natural phenomena that’s been 60 million years in the making. Two geophysics professors at Missouri S&T are studying the North American plate to lay the foundation for predicting earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

For the past 60 million years, the North American plate—basically the whole continent—has been moving southwest at a rate of about an inch a year, says Dr. Kelly Liu, professor of geophysics at Missouri S$&. The shift is a continuation of the breaking of the giant supercontinent Pangea 200 million years ago. As the plate moves, it creates earthquakes and volcanic hot spots, huge mountain chains and gigantic ocean basins.