Jiadong Qian

Ionospheric perturbations of electron density before the Wenchuan Earthquake

Based on electron density data recorded by the Detection of Electro-Magnetic Emissions Transmitted from Earthquake Regions (DEMETER) satellite of France, the phenomena of disturbed electron density in the ionosphere before the Wenchuan Earthquake of magnitude 8.0 on 12 May 2008, were analysed. The results showed that the anomalies concentrated 3 days prior to the earthquake, especially the variation on 9 May, when the electron density reduced above the northeast epicentral area, and the peak values moved to the equator. Compared with the variations in the geomagnetic indexes and other parameters related to solar activity, the geomagnetic condition and solar activity were all quiet from 7 to 12 May, so the variation on 9 May might be related to this strong earthquake. In addition, the geomagnetic field observed at the surface was analysed, and the Z component data at stations near the epicentral area showed apparent aberrations of daily variation compared with those at stations in eastern China. All these phenomena illustrate that obvious perturbations in the ionosphere and at the surface might be related to the preparation process of the Wenchuan Earthquake.

Response of the ionospheric electron density to different types of seismic events

Abstract. The electron density data recorded by the Langmuir Probe Instrument (ISL, Instrument Sonde de Langmuir) onboard the DEMETER satellite have been collected for nearly 4 yr (during 2006–2009) to perform a statistical analysis. During this time, more than 7000 earthquakes with a magnitude larger than or equal to 5.0 occurred all over the world. For the statistical studies, all these events have been divided into various categories on the basis of the seismic information, including Southern or Northern Hemisphere earthquakes, inland or sea earthquakes, earthquakes at different magnitude levels, earthquakes at different depth levels, isolated events and all events. To distinguish the pre-earthquake anomalies from the possible ionospheric anomalies related to the geomagnetic activity, the data were filtered with the Kp index. The statistical results obviously show that the electron density increases close to the epicentres both in the Northern and the Southern Hemisphere, but the position of the anomaly is slightly shifted to the north in the Northern Hemisphere and to the south in the Southern Hemisphere. The electron density related to both inland and sea earthquakes presents an anomaly approximately close to the epicentres, but the anomaly for sea earthquakes is more significant than for inland earthquakes. The intensity of the anomalies is enhanced when the magnitude increases and is reduced when the depth increases. A similar anomaly can also be seen in the statistical results concerning the isolated earthquakes. All these statistical results can help to better understand the preparation process of the earthquakes and their influence up to the ionospheric levels.

Automatic collecting technique of low frequency electromagnetic signals and its application in earthquake study

Two methods to automatically collect disturbed ultra low frequency electromagnetic signals before strong earthquakes were developed in this paper, in which one is only related to the spectrum intensity of electric field, and another is additionally combined with fractal dimension feature in electromagnetic emissions. Both techniques were applied for satellite data processing, case study and precursor distinction around Chile earthquakes, especially those occurring in 2010. Their advantages and disadvantages were compared and discussed based on actual application results. Further research on data mining needs to be carried out to improve the old and to develop the new ones based on the property of electromagnetic waves and multi parameters.