HR: 10:35h
AN: S42B-02    [Abstracts]
TI: Joint Evaluation of EM Signals Detected Around the Time of Major Earthquakes
AU: * Ouzounov, D
EM: ouzounov@core2.gsfc.nasa.gov
AF: NASA GSFC/SSAI, MS 698 Greenbelt Rd, Gereenbelt, MD 20171, United States
AU: * Ouzounov, D
EM: ouzounov@core2.gsfc.nasa.gov
AF: George Mason University/CEOSR, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030, United States
AU: Pulinets, S
EM: pulse@geofisica.unam.mx
AF: Institute of Geophysics, UNAM, Ciudad Universitaria, D.F., Mexico City, 04510, Mexico
AU: Ciraolo, L
EM: ciraolo@ifac.cnr.it
AF: Institute of Applied Physics, CNR, Via Panciatichi, 64, Florence, 50127, Italy
AU: Cervone, G
EM: gcervone@gmu.edu
AF: George Mason University/CEOSR, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030, United States
AU: Kafatos, M
EM: mkafatos@gmu.edu
AF: George Mason University/CEOSR, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030, United States
AU: Parrot, M
EM: mparrot@cnrs-orleans.fr
AF: LPCE/CNRS, 3A, Avenue de la Recherche, Orléans, 45071, France
AU: Taylor, P
EM: Patrick.Taylor@nasa.gov
AF: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, MS 698, Greenbelt Rd, Greenbelt, MD 20771, United States
AB: We present results from our studies of atmospheric and ionospheric electromagnetic (EM) signals preceding major earthquakes. This study examines possible associations relating anomalous changes of thermal and ionospheric parameters observed around the time of several strong earthquakes (M8.0 in Peru and 1999-2005 in California). Our approach requires an integrated analysis of several physical and environmental parameters (thermal infrared electromagnetic fields, latent heat flux, ionospheric parameters, specifically GPS/TEC, DEMETER and electron density, air temperature and humidity of the boundary layer, and seismicity) that have been found to be associated with impending earthquakes. The ionospheric and atmospheric observational methodology we present is based on a joint analysis of: (1) satellite long-wavelength radiation data form NOAA; (2) surface latent heat flux (SLHF); (3) GPS/TEC and DEMETER; and (4) thermal infrared data from (NASA EOS/MODIS) together with ground air temperature and humidity measurements. Our latest understanding from several post-earthquake independent analyses takes into account the problem of proper evaluation of such alarm techniques for upcoming major (M>5.5, depth<50km) earthquakes in a comprehensive and systematic fashion. We evaluate and compare the observed EM signals preceding the latest M8.0 earthquake in Peru (08/15/2007) and EM signals found before the major events in California, using the same methodology. We found evidence of the systematic appearance of both atmospheric and ionospheric anomalies preceding most of these major events. Nighttime TIR signals, approximately a week before the earthquakes, corresponded with an increase of SLHF and air temperature; these were followed by significant variations in the ionospheric TEC measurements above the epicenters. Our findings are consistent with the most recent theoretical model of Lithosphere-Atmosphere-Ionosphere coupling between the crust and the atmosphere/ionosphere proposed by Pulinets et al, (2004, 2006)
DE: 1217 Time variable gravity (7223, 7230)
DE: 1242 Seismic cycle related deformations (6924, 7209, 7223, 7230)
DE: 2427 Ionosphere/atmosphere interactions (0335)
DE: 8040 Remote sensing
SC: Seismology [S]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting