IMC Geophysics has a long history of involvement in international geophysical research programmes and with Earth Science departments of universities throughout the UK and overseas.  Current active projects include an innovative approach to the prediction of earthquakes based on a trial site in Iceland.  Theoretical and practical studies have shown that the behaviour of shear waves is subtly altered by variations of in-site stress.  At the trial site, shear waves are repeatedly transmitted between boreholes in the vicinity of an active fault zone.  Careful analysis of the variation over time of the shear wave properties allows changing stress to be observed and may ultimately lead to prediction of earthquakes.