Air ionization at rock surfaces and pre-earthquake signals

作者：Freund Friedemann T^*; Kulahci Ipek G; Cyr Gary; Ling Julia; Winnick Matthew; Tregloan Reed Jeremy; Freund Minoru M

来源：Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics, 2009, 71(17-18): 1824-1834.

DOI：10.1016/j.jastp.2009.07.013

• Pre-earthquake phenomena
• Ionosphere
• Air ionization
• Corona discharges
• Thermal infrared anomalies
• Earthquake lights
• Animal behavior

Pre-earthquake signals have been widely reported, including perturbations in the ionosphere. These precursory signals, though highly diverse, may be caused by just one underlying physical process: activation of highly mobile electronic charge carriers in rocks that are subjected to ever increasing levels of stress. The charge carriers are defect electrons associated with O- in a matrix of O2-. Known as positive holes or pholes h(center dot), they flow out of the stressed rock into the unstressed rock volume, traveling meters in the laboratory, probably kilometers in the field. At the rock-air interface they cause: (i) positive surface potential, (ii) field-ionization of air molecules, (iii) corona discharges. The rate of formation of airborne ions can exceed 10(9) cm(-2) s(-1). Massive air ionization prior to major earthquakes increases the electrical conductivity in the air column and may cause ionospheric perturbations, earthquake lights, and unusual animal behavior as well as infrared emission.

• 出版日期2009-12