A possible effect of ionospheric perturbations associated with the Sumatra earthquake, as revealed from subionospheric very-low-frequency (VLF) propagation (NWC-Japan)

Abstract

The observation of subionospheric very-low-frequency (VLF) propagation between the transmitter NWC (Australia) (frequency 19.8 kHz) and our three receiving sites in Japan (Chofu, Chiba, and Kochi) are used to find a possible precursor of ionospheric perturbations to the Sumatra earthquake in late December 2004. Night-time fluctuations in VLF propagation data at all three sites have exhibited significant enhancements from 4 days before the earthquake, which is likely to be a precursor to the earthquake.