Upon suspicion that no warnings were issued ahead of the devastating earthquake, seismology experts say earthquake forecast is still a complex and difficult task even worldwide, and searching for survivors is the paramount job now.

CRI Lin Lin has the story.

China Earthquake Networks Center is a nationwide network in charge of collecting data, conducting observation, making predication and locating earthquake occurrences. Vice director of the center Zhang Xiaodong says although it is well-equipped with leading technology, prompt and accurate predications are still below what people expect.

"There are three reasons for the challenge. Firstly, the unknown nature of the earth. It's always hard to make predications upon observations on the surface. Secondly, the complexity of earthquakes. After years of research, we are still on the way of getting to know more about the formation process of an earthquake, under different geological conditions and under different periods of time. And thirdly, small likelihood of earthquakes. Though earthquakes hit here or there every year, it may take a long time to have an earthquake again in one place. So it takes decades, centuries, or even longer to obtain samples, so that there are sufficient knowledge to make predications next time."

As the epicenter lies in the quake-prone region, the expert warns it is possible that the region will have more strong aftershocks.

Despite warnings of aftershocks, China says it will lose no time to search for survivors.

Director-General of the Department of Disaster and Social Relief of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Wang Zhenyao, said rescue workers are scrutinizing every detail in the disaster-hit region and will not give up any single life.

"As long as there is a slim hope, we will make sure it's reached by our rescue workers. More than 24 hours have passed, now, a large mount of relief workers are pouring into the region and their priority is to look for survivors in rubbles and collapsed buildings. "

Lin Lin, CRI News