Scientists have been using Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) to study an earthquake zone in Mexico's Baja peninsula. Ultimately, it is hoped these efforts will one day lead to creation of an analytical tool that can be used to predict earthquakes. For more on this story as reported by MSNBC, go here.
Alternately, an in depth review of this effort by Science magazine is available here (fee to read).
Comment: While the MSNBC article mentions the most well known fault zone in the U.S.A., the San Andreas, the potential technology as described would also be of value for the fault zone that lies to the south of Minnesota - the New Madrid.