Space-borne Observations of Atmospheric Pre-Earthquake Signals in Seismically Active Areas: Case Study for Greece 2008-2009

We are conducting theoretical studies and practical validation of atm osphere/ionosphere phenomena preceding major earthquakes. Our approach is based on monitoring of two physical parameters from space: outgoi ng long-wavelength radiation (OLR) on the top of the atmosphere and e lectron and electron density variations in the ionosphere via GPS Tot al Electron Content (GPS/TEC). We retrospectively analyzed the temporal and spatial variations of OLR an GPS/TEC parameters characterizing the state of the atmosphere and ionosphere several days before four m ajor earthquakes (M>6) in Greece for 2008-2009: M6.9 of 02.12.08, M6. 2 02.20.08; M6.4 of 06.08.08 and M6.4 of 07.01.09.We found anomalous behavior before all of these events (over land and sea) over regions o f maximum stress. We expect that our analysis reveal the underlying p hysics of pre-earthquake signals associated with some of the largest earthquakes in Greece

Validating of Atmospheric Signals Associated with some of the Major Earthquakes in Asia (2003-2009)

The recent catastrophic earthquake in Haiti (January 2010) has provided and renewed interest in the important question of the existence of precursory signals related to strong earthquakes. Latest studies (VESTO workshop in Japan 2009) have shown that there were precursory atmospheric signals observed on the ground and in space associated with several recent earthquakes. The major question, still widely debated in the scientific community is whether such signals systematically precede major earthquakes. To address this problem we have started to validate the anomalous atmospheric signals during the occurrence of large earthquakes. Our approach is based on integration analysis of several physical and environmental parameters (thermal infrared radiation, electron concentration in the ionosphere, Radon/ion activities, air temperature and seismicity) that were found to be associated with earthquakes. We performed hind-cast detection over three different regions with high seismicity Taiwan, Japan and Kamchatka for the period of 2003-2009. We are using existing thermal satellite data (Aqua and POES); in situ atmospheric data (NOAA/NCEP); and ionospheric variability data (GPS/TEC and DEMETER). The first part of this validation included 42 major earthquakes (M greater than 5.9): 10 events in Taiwan, 15 events in Japan, 15 events in Kamchatka and four most recent events for M8.0 Wenchuan earthquake (May 2008) in China and M7.9 Samoa earthquakes (Sep 2009). Our initial results suggest a systematic appearance of atmospheric anomalies near the epicentral area, 1 to 5 days prior to the largest earthquakes, that could be explained by a coupling process between the observed physical parameters, and the earthquake preparation processes

Inter-Disciplinary Validation of Pre Earthquake Signals. Case Study for Major Earthquakes in Asia (2004-2010) and for 2011 Tohoku Earthquake

We carried out multi-sensors observations in our investigation of phenomena preceding major earthquakes. Our approach is based on a systematic analysis of several physical and environmental parameters, which we found, associated with the earthquake processes: thermal infrared radiation, temperature and concentration of electrons in the ionosphere, radon/ion activities, and air temperature/humidity in the atmosphere. We used satellite and ground observations and interpreted them with the Lithosphere-Atmosphere- Ionosphere Coupling (LAIC) model, one of possible paradigms we study and support. We made two independent continues hind-cast investigations in Taiwan and Japan for total of 102 earthquakes (M>6) occurring from 2004-2011. We analyzed: (1) ionospheric electromagnetic radiation, plasma and energetic electron measurements from DEMETER (2) emitted long-wavelength radiation (OLR) from NOAA/AVHRR and NASA/EOS; (3) radon/ion variations (in situ data); and 4) GPS Total Electron Content (TEC) measurements collected from space and ground based observations. This joint analysis of ground and satellite data has shown that one to six (or more) days prior to the largest earthquakes there were anomalies in all of the analyzed physical observations. For the latest March 11 , 2011 Tohoku earthquake, our analysis shows again the same relationship between several independent observations characterizing the lithosphere /atmosphere coupling. On March 7th we found a rapid increase of emitted infrared radiation observed from satellite data and subsequently an anomaly developed near the epicenter. The GPS/TEC data indicated an increase and variation in electron density reaching a maximum value on March 8. Beginning from this day we confirmed an abnormal TEC variation over the epicenter in the lower ionosphere. These findings revealed the existence of atmospheric and ionospheric phenomena occurring prior to the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, which indicated new evidence of a distinct coupling between the lithosphere and atmosphere/ionosphere

Prevention and Preparedness of the Messina-Reggio Calabria Strait: An Earthquake Forecasting and Didactic Project

This contribution is addressed to an introductive university course on the correlation existing between radon emission and earthquakes processes held following a flipped-class approach where students receive didactic materials prior to face-to-face lessons. This research was initially started to investigate the real correlation between Radon emission from the Earth and the occurrence of strong earthquakes by using measurements of hourly Radon flow variation. During quiet seismogenic conditions, we observe an unvarying level of Radon emission in the air. Before a strong earthquake, substantial variations of Radon (222Rn) concentration have been observed in the air, probably because of the increase of thermodynamic energy inside the Earth. The physical processes affecting earthquakes are still not fully understood; therefore, we are interested in investigating a wide variety of signals observed before an earthquake, ranging from chemical, electric, and magnetic variations. The goal is to be able to estimate the earthquake magnitude, timing also location in advance with a good approximation. The experimental observation and research studies were carried out by G. Giuliani Permanent Foundation since 2002 in Abruzzo. The innovative methodology of observations with Gamma detectors allowed us to reveal a close correlation between the different physical phenomena during the preparation phase of strong earthquakes. We master the methodology of measuring the hourly flow of 222Rn gas decay, which provides a good correlation with the occurrence of strong earthquakes. To advance the reliability of our assessment, we added more parameters to our observations, such as magnetic and RF. The joint analysis advances our understanding of the processes underlying the earthquake occurrence. The experimental observation of Radon has been tested for more than a decade in the Abruzzo region. The initial results provided the baseline of reliable correlation between radon variations and earthquakes that could be used as an alert mechanism for the forthcoming seismic events. The multiparametric approach of detecting pre-earthquakes signals provided the robustness in detecting the earthquake preparation phase. There are no doubts that by expanding the network of gamma sensors, we achieve much better signal detection, which is critical for the better spatial correlation of Radon variations with the earthquake processes

The effect of the August 21, 2017 total solar eclipse on the phase of VLF/LF signals

An experimental study of the phase and amplitude observations of sub‐ionospheric very low and low frequency signals is performed to analyse the response of the lower ionosphere during the August 21, 2017 total solar eclipse in the United States of America. Three different sub‐ionospheric wave paths are investigated. The length of the paths varies from 2200 to 6400 km and the signal frequencies are 21.4 kHz, 25.2 kHz and 40.75 kHz. The two paths cross the region of the total eclipse and the third path is in the region of 40‐60% of obscuration. None of the signals reveal any noticeable amplitude changes during the eclipse while negative phase anomalies (from ‐33° to ‐95°) are detected for all three paths. It is shown that the effective reflection height of the ionosphere in low and middle latitudes is increased by about 3‐5 km during the eclipse. Estimation of the electron density change in the lower ionosphere caused by the eclipse, using linear recombination law, shows that the average decrease is by 2.1 to 4.5 times

From Multi-Sensors Observations Towards Cross-Disciplinary Study of Pre-Earthquake Signals. What have We Learned from the Tohoku Earthquake?

The lessons we have learned from the Great Tohoku EQ (Japan, 2011) how this knowledge will affect our future observation and analysis is the main focus of this presentation.We present multi-sensors observations and multidisciplinary research in our investigation of phenomena preceding major earthquakes. These observations revealed the existence of atmospheric and ionospheric phenomena occurring prior to theM9.0 Tohoku earthquake of March 11, 2011, which indicates s new evidence of a distinct coupling between the lithosphere and atmosphere/ionosphere, as related to underlying tectonic activity. Similar results have been reported before the catastrophic events in Chile (M8.8, 2010), Italy (M6.3, 2009) and Sumatra (M9.3, 2004). For the Tohoku earthquake, our analysis shows a synergy between several independent observations characterizing the state of the lithosphere /atmosphere coupling several days before the onset of the earthquakes, namely: (i) Foreshock sequence change (rate, space and time); (ii) Outgoing Long wave Radiation (OLR) measured at the top of the atmosphere; and (iii) Anomalous variations of ionospheric parameters revealed by multi-sensors observations. We are presenting a cross-disciplinary analysis of the observed pre-earthquake anomalies and will discuss current research in the detection of these signals in Japan. We expect that our analysis will shed light on the underlying physics of pre-earthquake signals associated with some of the largest earthquake event

Stimulated infrared emission from rocks: assessing a stress indicator

International audienceTo study the effect of stress-activated positive hole (p-hole) charge carriers on the infrared (IR) emission from rocks, we subjected a portion (~10 vol.%) of a large (30×60×7.5 cm3) block of anorthosite, a nearly monomineralic (Ca-rich feldspar) igneous rock, to uniaxial deviatory stress up to failure. We measured the IR emission from a flat surface ?40 cm from the stressed rock volume over the 800?1300 cm?1 (7.7?12.5 ?m) range. Instantly, upon loading, the emission spectrum and intensity change. At first narrow bands appear at 930 cm?1 (10.75 ?m), 880 cm?1 (11.36 ?m), 820 cm?1 (12.4 ?m) plus additional narrow bands in the 1000?1300 cm?1 (7.7?10.0 ?m) range. The 10.75?12.4 ?m bands are thought to arise from vibrationally excited O-O stretching modes, which form when p-hole charge carriers, which spread from the stressed rock volume into the unstressed rock, recombine at the surface. They radiatively decay, giving rise to "hot" bands due to transitions between excited states. Before failure the broad emission bands at 1170 cm?1 and 1030 cm?1 (8.7 and 9.7 ?m) also increase slightly in intensity, suggesting a small increase in temperature due to thermalization of the energy deposited into the surface through p-hole recombination. Stimulated IR emission due to hole-hole recombination and its follow-on effects may help understand the enhanced IR emission seen in night-time satellite images of the land surface before major earthquakes known as "thermal anomalies"

Atmospheric and ionospheric coupling phenomena related to large earthquakes

This paper explores multi-instrument space-borne observations in order to validate physical concepts of Lithosphere-Atmosphere-Ionosphere Coupling (LAIC) in relation to major seismic events. In this study we apply already validated observation to identify atmospheric and ionospheric precursors associated with some of recent most destructive earthquakes: M8.6 of March 25, 2005 and M8.5 September 15, 2007 in Sumatra, and M7.9 May 12, 2008 in Wenchuan, China. New investigations are also presented concerning these three earthquakes and for the M7.3 March 2008 in the Xinjiang-Xizang border region, China (the Yutian earthquake). It concerns the ionospheric density, the Global Ionospheric Maps (GIM) of the Total Electron Content (TEC), the Thermal Infra-Red (TIR) anomalies, and the Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR) data. It is shown that all these anomalies are identified as short-term precursors, which can be explained by the LAIC concept proposed by Pulinets and Ouzounov (2011)

Atmospheric and ionospheric coupling phenomena associated with large earthquakes

This paper explores multi-instrument space-borne observations in order to validate physical concepts of Lithosphere-AtmosphereIonosphere Coupling (LAIC) in relation to a selection of major seismic events. In this study we apply some validated techniques to observations in order to identify atmospheric and ionospheric precursors associated with some of recent most destructive earthquakes: M8.6 of March 28, 2005 and M8.5 of Sept. 12, 2007 in Sumatra, and M7.9 of May 12, 2008 in Wenchuan, China. New investigations are also presented concerning these three earthquakes and for the M7.2 of March 2008 in the Xinjiang-Xizang border region, China (the Yutian earthquake). It concerns the ionospheric density, the Global Ionospheric Maps (GIM) of the Total Electron Content (TEC), the Thermal InfraRed (TIR) anomalies, and the Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR) data. It is shown that all these anomalies are identified as short-term precursors, which can be explained by the LAIC concept proposed in [S. Pulinets, D. Ouzounov, J. Asian Earth Sci. 41, 371 (2011)]