Characteristics of VHF over-horizon signals possibly related to impending earthquakes and a mechanism of seismo-atmospheric perturbations

There have been evidences of the presence of atmospheric disturbances associated with earthquakes, as based on the reception of over-horizon VHF signals. In this paper we propose a generation mechanism of such atmospheric perturbation based on the changes in geochemical quantities associated with earthquakes.     

Earthquake effects along paths of VLF radio noise and impulsive signals as observed at Yakutsk

An analysis of amplitude variations in the noise and storm-induced impulsive VLF electromagnetic signals recorded at Yakutsk along paths above earthquakes is reported. It is shown that amplitude characteristics of storm-induced VLF signals can usefully supplement signals of radio stations as used in the radio monitoring of regions above earthquakes. The effect on these signals due to earthquakes of magnitude greater than 5 is observed as an amplitude increase within the three days following an earthquake. The pre-seismic variations in the storm-induced signal amplitude which can be regarded as precursors are generally observed as increased amplitudes (within 10 days before the earthquake) with a subsequent minimum.     

地震活动图像特征与强震危险区经验性预测依据的初步研究

在研究近期（10年）强震危险性判定和总结四川地区1972--2002年强震预测经验的基础上，清理了中国大陆1920--2002年47次浅源大震事件前地震活动图像特征（M≥4．7），提炼出10个方面12项经验性预测依据：主体活动区、多发时段、关联序列、大陆及地区地震异常图像、地区（带）-地段（震源区）地震增强图像（含信号震、诱发地震、地震条带）、相关地震、窗口地震、复发间隔、大陆及地区缺震、地段缺震与地段强震一缺震转折等。它们在47次震例中的综合出现率≥0．58（即依据比7／12以上）占42例；≥0．66（即8／12以上）占34例。因此，强震（M≥4．7）活动图像经验性预测依据可以作为预测有较大可能发生大地震危险区的依据之一。     

A double seismic antenna experiment at teide Volcano: existence of local seismicity and lack of evidences of Volcanic tremor

Data analyzed in the present work correspond to a 40 days field experiment carried out in Teide Volcano (Canary Islands, Spain) with two short-period small-aperture dense seismic antennas in 1994. The objective of this experiment was to detect, analyze and locate the local seismicity. We analyzed also the background seismic noise to investigate the possible presence of volcanic tremor. From a set of 76 events, we selected 21 of them in base of their good signal-to-noise ratio and their possibility to locate their seismic source by using the seismic antennas. A visual classification based on the S–P time and seismogram shape has permitted to establish three groups of events: local seismicity (S–P time between 3 and 5 s), very local earthquakes (S–P time smaller than 3 s) and artificial explosions. These earthquakes have been located by applying the Zero Lag Cross-Correlation technique and the inverse ray-tracing procedure. Those earthquakes that were recorded simultaneously by both seismic antennas were also located by intersecting both back-azimuths. The analysis of the seismicity has revealed that the amount of seismicity in Teide Volcano is moderate. This seismicity could be distributed in three main areas: inside the Caldera Edifice (below the Teide–Pico Viejo complex), in the eastern border of the Caldera Edifice and offshore of the island. At present, this activity is the only indicator of the volcano dynamics. The analysis of the back-ground seismic noise has revealed that at frequencies lower than 2 Hz, the Oceanic Load signal is predominant over other signals, even over local earthquakes with a magnitude of 2.0. Due to this, although if in the Teide area were present a weak volcanic tremor, or other volcanic signals with predominant peaks below 2 Hz, to observe them would be a very difficult task.     

Study on the Anomaly of Small Earthquake Activity Before Moderate-strong Earthquake in the Northeast Margin of the Qinghai- Xizang （Tibet） Block

26 earthquakes with MS ≥5. 0 have been recorded in the northeast margin of the Qinghai- Xizang (Tibet) block since 1980,22 of which were relatively independent of other moderate- strong earthquakes. Research on the increase of small earthquake activity before the 22 moderate-strong earthquakes has indicated that small earthquake activity was enhanced before 17 of the moderate-strong earthquakes. Though the increased seismicity is a common phenomenon in the northeast margin of the Qinghai-Xizang ( Tibet ) block,we have difficulty in predicting the moderate-strong earthquakes by this phenomenon. In order to predict the moderate-strong earthquakes through the increased seismicity of small earthquakes,this paper attempts to propose a new method, which calculates small earthquake frequency through the change of distribution pattern of small earthquakes, based on the characteristics of small earthquake activity in the northeastern Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) block,and then make primary applications. The result shows that we are able to obtain obvious anomalies in the frequency of small earthquakes before moderate strong earthquakes through the new method,with little spatial range effect on the amplitude of this small earthquake frequency anomaly. We can obtain mid to short-term anomaly indices for moderate-strong earthquakes in the northeast margin of the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) block.     

Using GPS–GLONASS–GALILEO data and IRI modeling for ionospheric calibration of radio telescopes and radio interferometers

VHF and HF radio signals are widely used to observe the Sun and pulsars. Nowadays, large low-frequency radio astronomical arrays (LOFAR, 30–240 MHz; MIRA, 80–300 MHz) are being constructed to record radiation of pulsars at the maximum distance. registration of the solar radio emission intensity at fixed frequencies and in the spectral VHF band is very important along with other methods of monitoring of coronal mass ejections. Interpreting radio astronomical data is known to be necessary to take into account possible distortions of these signals in the Earth ionosphere. However, in contrast to modern navigation systems (Global Position System (GPS), GLObal NAvigation Satellite System (GLONASS), GALILEO), in which a very accurate reconstruction of ionosphere parameters is a built-in function, in present-day radio astronomy a retrieve of ionosphere transfer characteristics has not been appropriately worked out. This collides with increasing requirements to accuracy of the analysis of a radio emission amplitude profile and to the angular and polarizing resolution of radio telescopes of new generation (LOFAR, SKA, etc.). We have developed a method and software to calculate the ionosphere rotation measure (RM) and dispersion measure (DM). We used the ionosphere model IRI-2001, magnetic field model IGRF-10, and the ionosphere total electron content values obtained from GPS measurements. The obtained values of DM and RM were recalculated into characteristics of the phase delay, Faraday amplitude modulation, and polarization changes. We calculated ones for different levels of geomagnetic activity as well as different angular positions of radio sources. Our main idea is to use a signal of navigation satellites (GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO) as a testing signal from a “reference” source located at minimal angle distance from a source studied. Our project allows development of methods and systems of ADAPTIVE RADIO ASTRONOMY, adaptive to the non-uniform and non-stationary ionosphere, by analogy with known systems of adaptive optics intended to adapt optical telescopes to varying conditions of the optically non-uniform and non-stationary troposphere.     

Neural network technique for identifying prognostic anomalies from low-frequency electromagnetic signals in the Kuril–Kamchatka region

In this paper, we suggest a technique for forecasting seismic events based on the very low and low frequency (VLF and LF) signals in the 10 to 50 Hz band using the neural network approach, specifically, the error back-propagation method (EBPM). In this method, the solution of the problem has two main stages: training and recognition (forecasting). The training set is constructed from the combined data, including the amplitudes and phases of the VLF/LF signals measured in the monitoring of the Kuril-Kamchatka region and the corresponding parameters of regional seismicity. Training the neural network establishes the internal relationship between the characteristic changes in the VLF/LF signals a few days before a seismic event and the corresponding level of seismicity. The trained neural network is then applied in a prognostic mode for automated detection of the anomalous changes in the signal which are associated with seismic activity exceeding the assumed threshold level. By the example of several time intervals in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007, we demonstrate the efficiency of the neural network approach in the short-term forecasting of earthquakes with magnitudes starting from M ≥ 5.5 from the nighttime variations in the amplitudes and phases of the LF signals on one radio path. We also discuss the results of the simultaneous analysis of the VLF/LF data measured on two partially overlapping paths aimed at revealing the correlations between the nighttime variations in the amplitude of the signal and seismic activity.     

澜沧—耿马地震短期和临震阶段的地震活动特征

本文主要分析了澜沧－耿马地震震前短临阶段的地震活动特征，包括ｂ值、震群、临震的小震活动等，文中也简要回顾了大同地震前的地震活动特征。同时探讨了地震系列的算法复杂性在实际震例中应用的可能，表现为在时间分布上强震前大小地震的有序性增加，随机性降低的过程。目的是寻找强震前一定时空范围内，中期向短期阶段过渡及短临阶段普遍存在的地震活动图象的演化信息。     

Computation of the key parameters of radio signals propagating through a perturbed ionosphere in the land-satellite channel

An analysis of the key parameters of HF/UHF radio signals was carried out for land-satellite radio channels, which determine the effects of fading in a perturbed ionosphere. Using the parameters of the perturbed plasma, the effects of the absorption and phase fluctuations of radio signals are analyzed for a channel with fading. For the evaluation of the effect of scattering of a radio signal by ionospheric inhomogeneities in an approximation of small-scale scintillations, expressions for the root-mean-square (RMS) magnitude of signal intensity and phase scintillations are presented. Scintillation index σ _I ² that corresponds to variations in a signal under the conditions of multipath propagation with fading is investigated by using experimental data. It is shown that roughly ～10% of inhomogeneities of the electron concentration in the F region of the ionosphere, perturbed during a magnetic storm, yield strong quickly fading radio signals in the VHF/UHF range with significant fluctuations (up to 1%) in the intensity of the signal and phase fluctuations (up to hundreds of radians). The calculated magnitudes of the scintillation index are in good agreement with experimentally observed data.     

Prognostic anomalies of induced seismicity in the region of the Koyna-Warna water reservoirs, West India

In 2000, the region of the Koyna-Warna water reservoirs in West India was hit by two strong earthquakes, which occurred six months apart and had magnitudes M > 5. The Koyna-Warna seismic zone is a typical region of induced seismicity with a pronounced correlation between seismicity and water level variations in the reservoirs. This indicates that the stress level in the region is close to critical; thus, insignificant variations in stress caused by the variations in the water level may trigger a strong earthquake. In order to study the preparatory processes in the sources of the induced earthquakes, in this paper we analyze the seismic catalogue for the Koyna-Warna region before a pair of strong earthquakes of 2000. The induced seismicity is found to exhibit prognostic variations, which are typical of preparation of tectonic earthquakes and indicative of the formation of metastable source zones of future earthquakes. Based on the obtained results, we suggest that initiation of failure in these metastable zones within the region of induced seismicity could have been caused by the external impacts associated with water level variations in the reservoirs and by the internal processes of avalanche unstable crack propagation.     

全球油气开采诱发地震的研究现状与对策

人工诱发地震现象已经有很久的历史.水库蓄水、采矿、地热开发、从地下提取液体或气体,或将液体注入地球内部都可能诱发地震.大量地震监测数据与科学分析结果显示:美国俄克拉何马州的地震剧增主要与页岩油气开采的废水回注量相关;加拿大阿尔伯塔省的地震剧增主要与页岩油气开采水力压裂的工作量相关;而荷兰罗宁根天然气田的传统天然气开采也同样诱发了较强的地震活动.在中国四川盆地的页岩油气开发区域,地震活动近几年也大幅度增强,但目前监测与科研工作较少,对某些地震成因尚有争议.目前研究诱发地震问题已成为学术界与工业界的一门专业学科.推断诱发地震,除了分析时空分布与工业活动的相关性之外,本文综述了该领域基于地震学、地质动力学、构造地质学的多种分析方法.如何在油气开采过程中减少诱发地震的灾害影响成为当前相关各界极为关注的科研问题,本文介绍了多个国家或地区建立的控制诱发地震的管理系统、基于地震大数据的诱发地震概率预测方法,以及基于地球物理与地质信息的综合诱发地震风险评估方法,并对我国控制诱发地震问题提出建设性意见.     

Variations in thunderstorm VLF emissions propagating over epicenters of earthquakes

In this study, the variations of average amplitude of the very-low-frequency (VLF) signal thunderstorm origin propagating over areas of strong (magnitude >5) earthquakes are considered. Despite the non-stationary state of thunderstorms, a decrease in the amplitude of its VLF signals was usually detected 3–6 days before an earthquake, with subsequent recovery on the day of the event. The effect is similar to the attenuation of the signal amplitude of low-frequency radio stations that is observed for several days before the occurrence of an earthquake. These influences of earthquakes on thunderstorm VLF signals are recorded along different paths (different azimuths and different distances to the earthquake epicenter). The probability that an earthquake of strong magnitude will induce changes in the thunderstorm VLF signal is 60–70%.     

华北地区强震前的信号震及其预测意义

根据对华北地区1970年以来M_S≥6地震以前中小地震活动空间图像变化特征的分析, 研究了“信号震”发生的时空特征及其地震活动背景, 由“场-源”关系特征对一般地震进行严格的筛选识别, 从而得出信号震的有关预测指标。 信号震一般发生在强震前的2年之内, 多数发生在15个月内; 信号震与强震的距离不超过200 km, 多数在100 km之内; 震级强度一般为M_L4.0～5.3。 信号震一般发生在局部的M_L≥4.0地震平静区内, 一般发生在中小地震条带上或条带附近, 在其周围或附近存在中小地震空区。 检验结果表明, 信号震发生后的9个月之内, 其预测概率P_t即超过0.5, R_t值达到0.27; 预测区域半径在距信号震震中100 km之内时, 其发生概率P_d可以达到0.73; 预测强震震级一般为M_S≥6.0。 研究表明, 信号震的环境应力值τ₀明显高于其他地震, 显示了高应力背景的异常显著性, 它所辐射的地震波中很可能含有未来强震孕震区的大量的本质性信息。     

印度—澳大利亚板块边界带强震活动与中国大陆西部强震活动的相关性研究

2001年以来全球8级地震呈现新的活跃态势, 7.5级以上强震在空间上呈优势分布, 强震相对集中在西太平洋地震带和欧亚地震带, 印度—澳大利亚板块的汇聚边界带上尤为突出。 2009年全球发生20次7级以上强震, 其中有15次发生在印度—澳大利亚板块, 近期仍具有延续全球强震活动优势空间分布。 本文在以往关于印度—澳大利亚板块运动方式以及相关地震活动研究基础上, 将印度—澳大利亚板块分为印度亚板块和澳大利亚板块, 依据强震应变释放资料分析中国大陆西部、 印度板块边界和澳大利亚板块边界之间强震活动可能的相关性。 结果表明, 中国大陆西部地区与印度板块边界的强震活动有较好的相关性, 印度板块边界与澳大利亚板块边界活动也有一定的相关性。 1914—1993年时段的中国大陆西部地区5个完整强震释放时段与印度板块地震活动表现出很强的相关性, 且中国大陆西部地区强震活动相对印度板块边界地区滞后0~5年, 这对于中国大陆地区强震趋势跟踪具有一定的参考意义。     

On the correlation between seismicity characteristics and S-wave attenuation in the ring structures that appear before large earthquakes

We discuss seismicity characteristics in the source zones of two great earthquakes: the December 26, 2004 Sumatra (M_w = 9.0) and the November 14, 2001 Kunlun (M_w = 7.8) events. Ring structures of low magnitude seismicity have been forming prior to these earthquakes for several decades. We studied the short period shear-wave attenuation field in the area of these ring structures. The method we used is based on the analysis of the rate of attenuation for the early Sn and Lg codas to detect attenuation inhomogeneities in the uppermost mantle. We show that the ring structures have comparatively high attenuation of shear waves compared with the crustal volumes inside the rings. The fact that there is no recent volcanism in the area of the seismicity rings shows that this effect is due to a high content of free fluids in the uppermost mantle. Proceeding by analogy with our results, we identified a zone in northern Tien Shan that is anomalous for these parameters; the zone may be related to the precursory process of a large earthquake. We discuss the geodynamic mechanisms that may be responsible for fluid concentration in the seismicity rings.     

A Review of Seismicity in 2009

<正>1 SURVEY OF GLOBAL SEISMICITY IN 2009 A total of 20 strong earthquakes of MS≥7. 0 occurred in the world in 2009 according to the Chinese Seismic Station Network ( Table 1). The strongest earthquake was the Samoa Islands     

信号性震中迁移

前言关于震中迁移现象已有不少人进行过研究。1966年郭增建等同志研究了甘肃和宁夏地区发生的破坏性地震的迁移规律,提出了可以把震中迁移现象作为地震预报的一种方法,並指出未来大震最可能是沿着原来的极震区长轴方向、弱震带延伸方向和发展构造延伸方向迁移。1966年邢台地震后,人们根据震中迁移预报过1967年河间6.3级地震和1975年海城7.3级地震。1980年郭增建、秦保燕同志编制了全国震中迁移略图,该图给出了中国大陆主要的地震迁移带。1981年在该图所给出的道孚至民丰迁移带上再次出现了破坏性地震的迁移     

蒙古发震块体的地震活动与我国大陆地震形势分析

研究了蒙古发震块体地震活动特征。综合有关资料从全球地震活动特征、喜马拉雅山地区地震活动以及地震活动是大尺度、大面积、甚至全球性相关的观点，论述了我国大陆的地震形势。初步认为中国大陆目前处于地震能量积累阶段，估计正在孕育着较大地震。这与全球性地震活动增强，蒙古发震块体，特别是蒙古西部、喜马拉雅山地区可能存在着８级地震危险相呼应。指出了应当引起注意的地区。     

南天山东西二段地震活动的关联性及其在地震预报中的意义

采用可定量描述地震活动强弱程度的“地震活动度”方法，研究了新疆南天山东西二段的地震活动特征。发现地震活动自西向东迁移，强度逐渐衰减，东段的地震活动比西段滞后1年左右。进一步分析认为，由于 印度洋板块向北挤压，使帕米尔地区成为应力高度集中区，这是南天山地震活动的动力来源。     

Seismicity change associated with the impounding of major artificial reservoirs in Japan

The change in seismicity associated with the filling of artificial reservoirs was investigated for 42 high dams in Japan. Based on a careful statistical analysis, a significant change in seismicity was found for ten dam areas at the 90% confidence level; eight cases of an increase in earthquake occurrence, and two cases of a decrease. It was also found that dam area earthquakes show remarkable seasonality with peak activity in the season of high inflow into the reservoirs. These results strongly suggest an effect of reservoir filling on local seismicity. To consistently account for the different types of seismicity change, an increase or decrease in earthquakes in the post-impounding phase, we proposed a model of reservoir-induced seismicity where the composite effect of loading and permeation of water causes a variety of seismicity patterns. According to the model, an increase or decrease in earthquake occurrence are attributed to differences in the tectonic stress field and geological conditions in the vicinity of a reservoir.