Israeli Scientists Warn of Large Earthquake

Special to The Globe and Mail CAROLYNNE WHEELER
JERUSALEM -- In biblical times, earthquakes represented the fire and brimstone that swallowed Sodom and Gomorrah and, with apologies to Joshua, probably brought down the walls of Jericho.

Now, thousands of years later, scientists and government officials are warning hospitals and emergency services in northern Israel to prepare themselves for the next big one.

A warning has gone out from Israel's Ministry of Health for hospitals to restock essential equipment and test satellite phones in the wake of hundreds of minor earthquakes centred in southern Lebanon in the past three months.