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Small Scale Precursors to Earthquakes Predicting EQs by magnetic field variations.

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Presentation on theme: "Small Scale Precursors to Earthquakes Predicting EQs by magnetic field variations."— Presentation transcript:

1 Small Scale Precursors to Earthquakes Predicting EQs by magnetic field variations

2 ULF/VLF before EQs Tony Fraser Smith, a professor from Stanford University ``recorded anomalous ultra-low- frequency (ULF) electromagnetic waves in the ground near Corralitos (a town 5 km from epicentre of the Loma Prieta earthquake 1989).’’ According to Smith, 3 hours before the EQ, the ULF noise level increased nearly 100-fold. Do EQ-generating fault zones really emit Electro- magnetic waves?

3 Explanations Charlotte may have the ability to sense extremely small variations in the Earth’s geomagnetic field which could be changing in the areas of high seismic activity. Charlotte could be able to hear the rumbling of plate motions ?

4 Geosensology Very controversial subject Examines biological sensitivity to Earthquakes and other phenomena The study of senses and biological systems as it relates to geodynamics and geologic events. Pioneered by Charlotte King, a woman who began hearing sounds in the ULF/VLF range in 1976

5 Charlotte King Ability to hear under the 10Hz range June 1979, she awoke to a strange sound The next day, reports of beached whales along the West Coast 36 hours after Charlotte heard the sound, there were a series of EQs in Big Bear, California. Did Charlotte hear what the whales heard ? A geodynamical disturbance that affected the whales’ sonar-navigation ?

6 No one knows what causes the signals. Stanford graduate student Alexandr Draganov has suggests that ground water carries an electrical current as it pushes through faults and cracks in the earth. Panayiotis Varotsos of Athens University believes rock on one side of a fault conducts electricity differently than rock on the other. The friction during sliding would release electrical signals. "The question remains if any of these signals are real," said Uyeda. "We don't know yet."

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8 Occurrence in animals Well known that animals are more sensitive to disturbances Often, animals are reported to ``sense`` disasters before they happen. There are many recorded historical accounts of animals fleeing towns or acting strangely before EQs

9 Example: Heicheng Earthquake 1975 Magnitude 7.3 strikes densely populated town of Heicheng in China. About 1000 casualties, but potential for many more Earthquake was ``predicted``… ? Prediction was based on geophysical anomalies being detected in the area prior to the quake (foreshocks, noises). As well, animal behaviour in the area was said to be unusual: -wolves came into the town in packs -dogs barked unusually -snakes came out of hibernation and froze on the surface in the snow The town of approx. 1 million residents was mostly evacuated before the 7.3 quake. The damage was extensive.

10 References http://www.exploratorium.edu/theworld/son ar/sonar.html http://www.exploratorium.edu/theworld/son ar/sonar.html Charlotte King http://www.viser.net/~charking/core.shtml http://www.viser.net/~charking/core.shtml Earthquake Body Radio http://bldgblog.blogspot.ca/2005/10/earthqu ake-body-radio.html http://bldgblog.blogspot.ca/2005/10/earthqu ake-body-radio.html


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