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AGU: Geophysical Research Letters

 

Index Terms

  • Seismology
  • Seismology: Seismic hazard assessment and prediction
  • Seismology: Seismicity and seismotectonics
  • Seismology: General or miscellaneous

Abstract

Signature of pending earthquake from electromagnetic anomalies

K. Eftaxias

Solid Earth Physics Institute, Department of Physics, University of Athens

P. Kapiris

Solid Earth Physics Institute, Department of Physics, University of Athens

J. Polygiannakis

Solid Earth Physics Institute, Department of Physics, University of Athens

N. Bogris

Solid Earth Physics Institute, Department of Physics, University of Athens

J. Kopanas

Solid Earth Physics Institute, Department of Physics, University of Athens

G. Antonopoulos

Solid Earth Physics Institute, Department of Physics, University of Athens

A. Peratzakis

Solid Earth Physics Institute, Department of Physics, University of Athens

V. Hadjicontis

Solid Earth Physics Institute, Department of Physics, University of Athens

Two electromagnetic (EM) anomalies have been detected in the VLF frequency band before the Athens earthquake (EQ) (Mw =5.9, Sept. 7, 1999) with the following characteristics: (i) The first and second anomaly lasted for 12 and 17 hours respectively with a cessation of 12 hours; (ii) The second anomaly ceased at about 9 hours before the EQ; (iii) The larger anomaly, the second one, contains approximately 80% of the total EM energy received; (iv) No EM disturbance has been recorded in the VHF frequency band unlike with other cases, e.g., the Kozani Grevena and Egion‐Eratini earthquakes. The fault modeling of the Athens EQ, based on information obtained by radar interferometry, predicts two faults. The main fault segment is responsible for 80% of the total energy released, while the secondary fault segment for the remaining 20%. Moreover, a recent seismic data analysis supports the hypothesis that a two‐event solution for the Athens EQ, is more likely than a single event solution. In addition, the absence of surface rupture explains the absence of EM detection in the VHF frequency band. The present analysis reveals that the properties of the preseismic electromagnetic anomalies might be considered as signatures of a pending earthquake.

Received 5 March 2001; accepted 27 June 2001; .

Citation: Eftaxias, K., P. Kapiris, J. Polygiannakis, N. Bogris, J. Kopanas, G. Antonopoulos, A. Peratzakis, and V. Hadjicontis (2001), Signature of pending earthquake from electromagnetic anomalies, Geophys. Res. Lett., 28(17), 3321–3324.

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