Abstract: The working direction for precursor monitoring is summarized as follows: grasping the essence, selecting suitable project; approaching the seismic source, reasonably distribution according to the physical essence of the shallow earthquakes and the main physical features shown by the seismogenic process. The precursors can be divided into two types. The first type of the precursor is called as the direct one including seismicity, geodetics and underground fluid etc. The precursors such as the geoelectricity, geomagnetism, and animal behaviors and so on are sorted to the second type of, which is called as the indirect one. In order to raise the ability to the earthquake prediction, we should pay more attention to understanding of the physical essence of the earthquake occurrence at shallow crust; to the new methods as well as the theories about earthquake prediction, to the development of the seismic monitoring techniques, especially the sensor innovation and to the adjustment of the seismic networks. We should realize the importance of the prediction experiences and their limitation and pay great attention not only to carrying forward the good experiences about the earthquake prediction but also to its development.

Key words: Earthquake prediction, Scientific thinking, Precursor monitoring, Comprehensive prediction research