An attempt to delineate very low frequency electromagnetic signals associated with earthquakes

Abstract

We report on our observation of pulse-like electromagnetic signals in the frequency range 1∼10 kHz that we associate with earthquakes. The severest difficulty in separating earthquake-associated VLF signals from those originating in lightning discharges stems from the circumstance that the latter signals are overwhelming in number compared with the former. While claims have often been made of observation of electromagnetic signals in association with earthquakes, most of the claims, excepting a few, heavily rely on temporal correlation. By means of simple instrumentation and data processing software, our method by and large enables us to isolate VLF signals whose direction of arrival is well focussed at the epicenter direction. In this preliminary report we present several examples that positively demonstrate the existence of a class of VLF signals having a peak frequency of occurrence 1∼4 days prior to earthquakes of Magnitude 4∼6. With an accumulation of experience the technique described in this paper would seem to offer a promising approach towards earthquake prediction. Copyright © The Society of Geomagnetism and Earth, Planetary and Space Sciences (SGEPSS); The Seismological Society of Japan; The Volcanological Society of Japan; The Geodetic Society of Japan; The Japanese Society for Planetary Sciences.