Exploring the knowledge domain of earthquake prediction based on bibliometric analysis and text mining

Abstract

Earthquake prediction is one of the important themes of earthquake research, and it is also a very difficult scientific problem in the world. In this study, a bibliometric analysis is conducted on the scientific publications about earthquake prediction indexed in SCIE (Science Citation Index Expanded) and SSCI (Social Sciences Citation Index) databases during the past two decades (1998–2017). The subject categories, annual and journal distributions, leading countries/regions and institutions are investigated in this field. The main research topics are identified through text mining method. The research trends are explored by keyword co-occurrence analysis and bursting keywords detection techniques. The results of this study are helpful for scholars in this field to find the knowledge structure and important participants. It is also helpful for scholars to seize the current research hotspots and future development trends in this field.