This paper presents a novel method for detecting preseismic signals by employing a frequency-domain transform technique to address the challenges of earthquake prediction. This method tracks energy differences between adjacent frequency bands to isolate subtle spectral changes associated with shear and vertical stress changes. Application to laboratory acoustic emission data and seismograms from seven major earthquakes (magnitudes 5.9–9.0) consistently reveals precursory signals, arc-shaped trajectories, and extreme accelerations that appear hours to days before rupture. These features are robust across diverse geological environments, including induced earthquakes, volcanic collapses, continental strike-slip faults, and subduction superfault earthquakes. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the existence of precursory signals hidden in ambient seismic waves, suggesting their potential for real-time fault monitoring and short-term earthquake prediction.