The near surface vertical atmospheric electric field abnormality could be as a promising imminent precursor of major earthquakes
physics.geo-ph
/ Authors
T. Chen, H. Wu, X. -X. Zhang, C. Wang, X. -B. Jin, Q. -M. Ma, J. -Y. Xu, S. -P. Duan, Z. -H. He, H. Li
and 21 more authors
S. -G. Xiao, X. -Z. Wang, X. -H Shen, Q. Guo, I. Roth, V. S. Makhmutov, Y. Liu, J. Luo, X. -J. Jiang, L. Dai, X. -D. Peng, X. Hu, L. Li, C. Zeng, J. -J. Song, F. Xiao, J. -G. Guo, C. Wang, H. -Y. Cui, C. Li, Q. Sun
/ Abstract
A promising short term precursor of major earthquakes (EQ) is very crucial in saving people and preventing huge losses. Ez, atmospheric electrostatic field vertical component, under fair air conditions, is generally oriented downwards (positive). Anomalous negative Ez signals could be used as an indicator of a great number of radioactive gases which are released from great number of rock clefts just before major earthquakes. Enhanced emission of radon radioactive decay will produce an anomalously large number of ion pairs. The positive particles will be transported downward by the fair weather electrostatic field and pile up near the surface. Finally, obviously and abnormally, an oriented upward atmospheric electric field Ez near the ground could be formed. Therefore, monitoring this Ez may be applied effectively in earthquake warning.