Generation of VHF radio emissions by electric discharges in the lower atmosphere over a seismic region

Observational data of the seismic related VHF radio emissions at 41 and 53 MHz obtained at the four stations of Create Island are presented. The epicenter of EQs is located at the distance more than 300 km behind the horizon. It was shown that VHF radiation is generated at the altitudes 1–10 km in the atmosphere over the epicenter of EQs. The theory of generation of electromagnetic radiation by random electric discharges was developed. These discharges are excited by DC electric field enhanced up to the breakdown value in the atmosphere. The field is connected with the electric current flowing in the atmosphere–ionosphere circuit, whose source is generated by convective transport of charged aerosols, which are injected in the atmosphere by soil gases during the enhancement of seismicity. Calculations of the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation are derived, and the theoretical results are confirmed by observation data.     

青海龙羊峡超低频电磁辐射在中强震前的短期(短临)异常特征及单台预报效能

根据青海龙羊峡电磁台自1991年9月以来的资料，对电磁波辐射在震前的异常特征进行了分析总结。地震往往发生在电磁波异常结束后，电磁波在一组异常中出现显著异常是地震进入短期(短临)异常的主要特征。显著异常判断指标是一次地震中异常幅度(产生的场强)最大的或异常持续时间最长的异常。通过对有震异常、无震异常和漏报的统计，龙羊峡电磁波辐射的预报效能并不高。     

远场地震电磁辐射强度与孕震震级关系

基于垂直电偶极子激发源模型,首先研究了远场地震电磁场辐射场及其分布特征,其次分析了远场地震电磁辐射强度与孕震震级之间的关系.结果表明垂直电偶极子激发源可以解释孕震区激发电磁辐射现象,是激发地震电磁辐射最有可能的激发源之一;远场地震电磁辐射强度的对数与地震震级呈线性关系,直线的斜率与孕震区裂隙特性分布及其电磁特性有关.研究结果对进一步认识地震电磁辐射现象和拓宽地震监测预报思路均有积极意义.     

强震前后空间电磁场时空演化特征

本文利用DEMETER卫星观测到的电磁场数据, 统计分析了2005—2009年全球M_S≥7.0强震前后空间电磁场的时空演化特征． 在震中上空±10°范围内, 使用震前90天至震后30天的5年同期观测到的电磁场极低频/甚低频(370—897 Hz)功率谱密度数据构建了稳定的背景场观测模型, 提取了震中上空的空间电磁场相对于背景场的扰度幅度, 并统计分析了强震前后空间电磁场的时空演化特征． 统计结果显示: 45次M_S≥7.0强震中, 35次强震在地震发生前后磁场最大扰动幅度超过2.2倍标准差, 39次强震的电场最大扰动幅度超过2倍标准差; 最大的电磁扰动主要出现在震中±4°—±10°范围内． 另外, 震中上空的电磁场扰动幅度时序变化表现为3种不同类型的扰动特征, 且震前出现电磁异常的强震震中位置的分布特征与纬度存在一定关系; 而随机选择的非震区上空空间电磁场的扰动幅度则比较小, 未呈现出明显的特征．      

5月12日汶川8.0级地震强余震观测的电磁同震效应

2008年5月12日汶川8.0级大地震发生后,在武都汉王地震台及其附近地区进行了为期22d的余震序列电磁异常连续监测,观测到多次余震事件的电磁同震现象。通过与汉王强震台的地震记录数据比较发现,同震信号存在于所有的电场和磁场记录分量中,它们与地震波的到达同步,而不是在地震发生的时刻出现。地震发生时的电磁辐射信号似乎在记录数据中有所显示,但是与地震波到达观测点时的电磁信号相比幅度要小得多     

智利地震前DEMETER卫星对空间高能粒子的观测

在地震的孕育或发生期间,地球内部岩石圈的活动可能会发出电磁辐射,引起空间电磁扰动,并通过波粒相互作用引起高能电子的投掷角散射,导致高能电子的沉降.本文基于法国DEMETER卫星的观测数据,研究了智利周围区域在智利地震期间空间高能电子的通量、能谱的分布及演化,发现在智利地震发生前第11天和12天,在以震中为中心,经度跨度10°,在DEMETER卫星轨道高度上L跨度0.1的区域内,有超出背景4到6倍的高能带电粒子暴的出现,期间在其北半球磁镜像区域也观测到了显著的电子通量涨高.粒子暴对应的能谱与2010年前三个月的平均能谱存在较大差异.同时观测到在出现粒子暴的两条轨道上VLF(Very Low Frequency,甚低频)电场频谱分别在300 Hz以下以及13~20 kHz的频段存在显著增强,此扰动在时间和地理位置上与高能粒子暴是一致的.基于回旋共振耦合作用的准线性扩散理论,本文对所观测事例的电子能量与电磁场扰动频率做了分析计算.观测数据和理论计算有较好的一致性,表明该粒子暴源自ICE(Instrument Champ Electrique,电磁探测器)观测到的空间电磁扰动,这是典型的空间波粒耦合事例.进一步分析排除了可能引起粒子暴和VLF电场扰动的环境因素,本文认为本次粒子暴和电场扰动的观测可能与智利地震的震前地壳活动存在一定关联.     

Recent Results from Studies of Electric Discharges in the Mesosphere

The paper reviews recent advances in studies of electric discharges in the stratosphere and mesosphere above thunderstorms, and their effects on the atmosphere. The primary focus is on the sprite discharge occurring in the mesosphere, which is the most commonly observed high altitude discharge by imaging cameras from the ground, but effects on the upper atmosphere by electromagnetic radiation from lightning are also considered. During the past few years, co-ordinated observations over Southern Europe have been made of a wide range of parameters related to sprites and their causative thunderstorms. Observations have been complemented by the modelling of processes ranging from the electric discharge to perturbations of trace gas concentrations in the upper atmosphere. Observations point to significant energy deposition by sprites in the neutral atmosphere as observed by infrasound waves detected at up to 1000 km distance, whereas elves and lightning have been shown significantly to affect ionization and heating of the lower ionosphere/mesosphere. Studies of the thunderstorm systems powering high altitude discharges show the important role of intracloud (IC) lightning in sprite generation as seen by the first simultaneous observations of IC activity, sprite activity and broadband, electromagnetic radiation in the VLF range. Simulations of sprite ignition suggest that, under certain conditions, energetic electrons in the runaway regime are generated in streamer discharges. Such electrons may be the source of X- and Gamma-rays observed in lightning, thunderstorms and the so-called Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes (TGFs) observed from space over thunderstorm regions. Model estimates of sprite perturbations to the global atmospheric electric circuit, trace gas concentrations and atmospheric dynamics suggest significant local perturbations, and possibly significant meso-scale effects, but negligible global effects.     

Thunderstorms,Lightning, Sprites and Magnetospheric Whistler-Mode Radio Waves

Thunderstorms and the lightning that they produce are inherently interesting phenomena that have intrigued scientists and mankind in general for many years. The study of thunderstorms has rapidly advanced during the past century and many efforts have been made towards understanding lightning, thunderstorms and their consequences. Recent observations of optical phenomena above an active lightning discharge along with the availability of modern technology both for data collection and data analysis have renewed interest in the field of thunderstorms and their consequences in the biosphere. In this paper, we review the electrification processes of a thunderstorm, lightning processes and their association with global electric circuit and climate. The upward lightning discharge can cause sprites, elves, jets, etc. which are together called transient luminous events. Their morphological features and effects in the mesosphere are reviewed. The wide spectrum of electromagnetic waves generated during lightning discharges couple the lower atmosphere with the ionosphere/magnetosphere. Hence various features of these waves from ULF to VHF are reviewed with reference to recent results and their consequences are also briefly discussed.     

新疆和田ML7.1地震前ULF电磁辐射的激发机理

1996年11月19日新疆和田地区发生了ML=7.1地震. 在这次地震发生前,观测到了地震的超低频（ULF）电磁辐射前兆. 电磁辐射前兆的特点是电位漂移、极化椭圆主轴的垂直方向指向震中和大幅度的电磁辐射. 本文根据电磁辐射特征建立了地震电磁辐射前兆垂直电偶极子模型,并且给出了观测结果的物理解释. 偶极子产生一个不稳定的静电场使水平分量的电位日均值发生明显漂移,震前电偶极子中电荷复合放电产生的随机弱电磁噪声造成在ULF频段上水平分量偏振主轴方向偏转. 喀什台站和安西台站观测到的电势比值与模型估计值相近,从水平分量判断出偶极子间电流方向向下,与垂直电偶极子模型一致.     

水平分层孔隙介质中点源激发的震电波场数值模拟及分析

为认识地震波诱导的电磁场的特性,本文研究地震波在孔隙介质中由于动电效应引起的电磁场.基于Pride弹性-电磁耦合方程组推导了双力偶震源对应的位移-应力-电磁场间断向量的表达式,模拟了双力偶源激发的震电波场.作为比较,还模拟了爆炸点源激发的震电波场.结果表明：存在伴随纵波的电场,其各分量的波形与固相位移对应分量的波形相似,但相位相反;存在伴随横波的磁场,其波形与固相位移波形相似;双力偶震源还激发出了独立传播的辐射电磁场,其速度比纵波至少高一个数量级,几乎是“瞬间同时”到达了每个接收器,但是其强度比伴随电磁场小得多,且随着源距增大而迅速减小.本文研究还表明：伴随纵波的电场强度不仅与地震纵波幅度和动电耦合系数有关,还与由介质孔隙结构决定的流-固两相动力协调性有关,存在一种动力协调介质,纵波在这种介质中不引起电场.     

Electromagnetic anomalies associated with 1995 Kobe earthquake

Occurrences of anomalous electro-magnetic phenomena at varied frequency ranges, covering ELF to VHF, have been reported in relation to the 17 January 1995 Kobe earthquake (M7.2), by several independent research groups. Prominent pre-seismic peaks, which could have been emitted from the focal area, were observed on 9-10 January in ELF, VLF, LF and HF ranges. Whether these changes were truly related to the earthquake is not certain, because atmospheric (thunderbolt discharge) activities also peaked on 9-10 January. The nomalous changes were markedly enhanced toward the catastrophe in agreement with many reports on unusual radio/TV noise. Anomalous transmission of man-made electromagnetic waves in VLF and VHF ranges was also detected from a few days before the earthquake, indicating the possibility that the ionosphere above the focal zone was disturbed at the final stage of the earthquake preparation process.     

Variations in the parameters of thunderstorm electromagnetic signals on paths over earthquake regions

The specific features of a method for radiosounding the lower ionosphere over earthquake epicenters using LF electromagnetic signals of thunderstorm sources (atmospherics) have been considered. The effects of shallow-focus earthquakes with magnitudes larger than 4.0 and their precursors manifest themselves in amplitude characteristics of atmospherics. It has been assumed that variations in the signal characteristics are related to disturbances in the lower ionosphere. According to the results of azimuthal scanning, cross-sectional dimensions of disturbed regions, as a rule, correspond to the dimensions of the first two Fresnel zones for signals at a frequency of 10 kHz. Azimuthal scanning also indicated that the positions of disturbed regions during and before earthquakes could have a certain dynamics and differ from the projection onto the earthquake epicenter. The ratio of the amplitudes of electric and magnetic signal components, in the variations of which seismic effects before earthquakes can also be observed, has been considered. An analysis of the ratio makes it possible to increase the probability of predicting earthquakes when using the characteristics of the electromagnetic signals of lightning discharges as an additional method of complex monitoring of disturbances in the lower ionosphere caused by seismic processes.     

Research on amplitude spectrum of precursory electromagnetic radiation associated with the impending great earthquake of Gonghe in Qinghai Province

The high accuracy, automatic, digital MT measurement system with five electromagnetic components was firstly adopted by the author to the section MT monitor and measurement in the middle Qilian mountain in the Northwestern China, the more real precursory information of impending earthquake electromagnetic rediation of GongheM=7.0 earthquake (April, 1990) in Qinghai province was obtained by the system. The new complete quantification frequency analysis was firstly used in this paper in both time and space domains for the analysis of repeated measurement data at all sites. This paper concludes the precursory spectral characteristics of electromagnetic radiation before strong earthquake as following: 1. The spectra appears as the synchronous electric field interference type mainly of conduction current; 2. Narrow band (0.5 – 20s) of spectral period; 3. The singularity of amplitude (the pulse amplitudes of interference electric field is 10² times the normal values); 4. They show the directionality of preparing focus to some extent; 5. The intermittent of radiation (three peak periods appeared three days before the main shock). It is more significant that there existed a relative quiet period of about 48 hours between the peak period and the occurrence, observators can response quickly at observational sites and take it as one of the observational criterions for impending prediction. This paper also points out that the impending earthquake electromagnetic radiation obtained by the MT measurement system is mainly the conduction current, and the high-conductive layer existed commonly in the crust may serve as the better paths for the conduction current circuit and enables the far away MT measurement sites to receive it. The Chinese version of this paper appeared in the Chinese edition ofActa Seismologica Sinica,15, 186–193, 1993.     

地震—电离层圈层耦合机理研究进展及问题思考

电离层探测是近年来发展比较迅速的地震电磁监测手段之一,为地震短临监测预测提供了新的技术思路和方法。本文回顾总结了21世纪以来基于地震电离层异常研究发展而来的多种圈层耦合机制,主要介绍了3类可实现数值模拟计算的耦合理论模型,包括附加直流电场模型、声重波和电磁波传播模型,并通过与实测数据对比分析了现有模型的矛盾和不足。最后综合现有观测系统,探讨了未来地震电离层耦合机理发展的主要思路和方向。      

A possible mechanism of stimulation of seismic activity by ionizing radiation of solar flares

A possible mechanism of earthquake triggering by ionizing radiation of solar flares is considered. A theoretical model and results of numerical calculations of disturbance of electric field, electric current, and heat release in lithosphere associated with variation of ionosphere conductivity caused by absorption of ionizing radiation of solar flares are presented. A generation of geomagnetic field disturbances in a range of seconds/tens of seconds is possible as a result of large-scale perturbation of a conductivity of the bottom part of ionosphere in horizontal direction in the presence of external electric field. Amplitude-time characteristics of the geomagnetic disturbance depend upon a perturbation of integral conductivity of ionosphere. Depending on relation between integral Hall and Pedersen conductivities of disturbed ionosphere the oscillating and aperiodic modes of magnetic disturbances may be observed. For strong perturbations of the ionosphere conductivities amplitude of pulsations may obtain ~10² nT. In this case the amplitude of horizontal component of electric field on the Earth surface obtains 0.01 mV/m, electric current density in lithosphere –10^–6 A/m², and the power density of heat release produced by the generated current is 10^–7 W/m³. It is shown that the absorption of ionizing radiation of solar flares can result in variations of a density of telluric currents in seismogenic faults comparable with a current density generated in the Earth crust by artificial pulsed power systems (geophysical MHD generator " Pamir-2” and electric pulsed facility " ERGU-600”), which provide regional earthquake triggering and spatiotemporal variation of seismic activity. Therefore, triggering of seismic events is possible not only by man-made pulsed power sources but also by the solar flares. The obtained results may be a physical basis for a novel approach to solve the problem of short-term earthquake prediction based on electromagnetic triggering phenomena.     

云南地区地震序列早期地震波动力学特征

研究了云南地区各类型地震序列的早期地震波动力学特征——地震波垂直分量P波初动和P、S波最大振幅比,结果表明:前震序列振幅比为过原点的直线,比值稳定,P波初动一致;双震型地震序列在第一主震后P波初动出现一组时,仍有一类波形(“大头波”或“小头波”)的振幅比保持为过原点的直线,第一主震后P波初动出现两组时,仍有初动相同的一组地震振幅比保持为过原点的直线,或者两组初动的地震振幅比分别、共同成过原点的直线;主余震地震序列在非大震孕育期间,地震振幅比离散,与大震孕育有关的主余震地震序列振幅比仍可为过原点的直线。地震波动力学特征在上述三类地震序列的早期判断能力分别为75％、55％—73％、90％。     

地震前后电离层截止频率处电场频谱强度变化分析——以2006年汤加Mw8.o地震为例

以汤加Mw8.0地震为例,着重分析了DEMETER卫星记录中截止频率附近电磁场频谱在震前的异常演化特征.根据地震前后该区域3个月的数据对比,发现电场频谱增强与地震孕育的关系很不明显.而长时间、大范围的电场频谱减弱现象可能更值得关注,白天和夜间的电场频谱显示同一特征.2006年夏秋季节38次6级以上强震短期异常的统计平均...     

Earthquake-related Electric Field Changes Observed in the Ionosphere and Ground

The changes of the ionospheric electric field before and after four huge earthquakes, which include the Ms 8.7 earthquake of 2004 and the Ms 8.5 earthquake of 2005 in Sumatra of Indonesia, the Ms 8.0 Wenchuan earthquake of 2008 in China, the Ms 8.8 earthquake of 2010 in Chile, and their strong aftershocks are studied in this paper. The significant results revealed that the power spectral density of low-frequency electric field below 20 Hz in the ionosphere, a kind of electromagnetic radiation phenomena, increased abnormally before and after the earthquakes and partially corresponded to the increased power spectral density of the low-frequency geoelectric field in time. This research preliminarily indicates that the low-frequency electromagnetic radiation during the imminent stages before such earthquakes could be detected by the observation of the ionospheric electric field. However, the spatial, temporal, and intensive complexities of the electric field anomalies in the ionosphere before earthquakes have come in sight also.     

Using lightning locating system based on time-of-arrival technique to study three-dimensional lightning discharge processes

A time-of-arrival(TOA) system based on GPS technology for locating VHF radiation sources from lightning has been developed and used in observation sites in the northern Shandong Province,China.The 3D images of the lightning progression have been obtained successfully for the first time in China.The 3D-channel evolutions of typical negative CG,positive CG and IC lightning flashes have been discussed together with the data of fast electric field change.It was found that significant differences existed between the negative and positive CG lightning flashes in terms of the initiation and propagation of the radiation sources.The preliminary breakdown of a negative CG lightning flash propagated at a speed about 5.2×104 m/s.The stepped leader of negative CG lightning flashes was trigged by negative initial breakdown.Thereafter,it propagated downward at a speed of 1.3×105 m/s.The initial process of the positive CG lightning flashes was also a propagation process of negative streamer.These streamers propagated dominantly horizontally in the positive charge region and accumulated positive charges at the origin of the lightning,and as a consequence,initiated downward positive streamers.A new type of lightning discharge that was triggered by a narrow bipolar pulse(NBP) is discussed in this study.The NBP was originated at altitude of about 10.5 km in the upper positive charge region.As a distinct difference from normal IC flash,its channels extended horizontally all around and produced a lot of radiation sources.The source power of the NBP could approach 16.7 kW,which is much greater than that of normal lightning discharge ranging between 100 mW and 500 W.The 3D propagation of this new type of lightning discharge was observed and obtained for the first time in China.The possible initiation mechanism of this new type of light-ning is discussed here.     

地震散射波的高精度数值模拟与振幅分析

随着地震勘探要求和技术的不断提高,散射波地震勘探方法逐渐引起人们的重视,尤其在构造复杂地区的高精度勘探中,散射波理论具有广泛的应用前景.本文在讨论了现阶段几种散射波数值模拟方法的利弊后,设计了一种基于微扰论的FK域积分法,在散射场的二次震源和空间能量衰减处理两方面做了改进,其计算精度和效率均得到了提高.此外,采用该算法针对散射波动力学进行了正演模拟试算,从扰动介质空间分布和扰动量两个角度定量地分析了散射波振幅动力学方面的特征.在此基础上得到了五个经验常数,并给出了对应的计算公式和物理意义,通过这五个常数可以划分散射波不同形态的动力学特征.