Is earthquake forecasting about to become a reality?

After decades of research, geologists now think they will soon be able to accurately predict when earthquakes will occur:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7435324.stm

Will drilling near Japan be the first stage towards an earthquake early warning system?

Geologists are investigating the Nankai Trough, off Japan, in an attempt to beeter understand it’s geology and perhaps develop an early warning system for earthquakes:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7353866.stm

Where are the Earth’s magnetic anomalies?

The Earth’s magnetism is not uniform and measurements of its strength and direction provide insights into the composition and history of the planet:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6982485.stm