Next Article in Journal
Analysis of the Sustainable Development Index in the Communes of the Podkarpackie Voivodeship: A Polish Case Study
Next Article in Special Issue
Atmospheric Anomalies Associated with the 2021 Mw 7.2 Haiti Earthquake Using Machine Learning from Multiple Satellites
Previous Article in Journal
Linking Perceived Corporate Social Responsibility and Employee Well-Being—A Eudaimonia Perspective
 
 
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Atmospheric Storm Anomalies Prior to Major Earthquakes in the Japan Region

by
Friedemann T. Freund
1,
Mohammad Reza Mansouri Daneshvar
2,* and
Majid Ebrahimi
3
1
GeoCosmo Science and Research Center, NASA Ames Research Park, Code SCR, Moffett Field, Mountain View, CA 94035-1000, USA
2
Department of Geography and Natural Hazards, Research Institute of Shakhes Pajouh, Isfahan 81589-49191, Iran
3
Department of Physical Geography, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar 96179-76487, Iran
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Sustainability 2022, 14(16), 10241; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141610241
Submission received: 1 July 2022 / Revised: 13 August 2022 / Accepted: 16 August 2022 / Published: 17 August 2022

Abstract

Connections between atmospheric perturbations, e.g., thunderstorm activity, and major earthquakes are investigated along with the lithosphere–atmosphere coupling mechanism, concerning the earthquake prediction models. The present research attempts to recognize a possible link between atmospheric processes (rainfall, storms) and subsequent earthquakes (M > 6) across a wide area around Japan. Earthquake data and upper-atmosphere sounding data related to the Severe Weather Threat (SWEAT) index and Skew-T plots were obtained from two Japanese radiosonde stations, Hachijojima and Kagoshima. Using the cross-correlation function (CCF) method, it is shown that SWEAT conditions existed within 30 days before six major earthquakes in 2017 in the Japan region. The Seismo-Climatic Index (SCI) reached a mean of 2.00, 7–8, and 13–14 days before these earthquakes, indicating thunderstorms and extreme weather conditions, further supported by Skew-T plots. Low-pressure systems, deviating from the mean by as much as −50 to −250 m, and hot spots of increased precipitation ranging from ~80 to ~140 mm rainfall within 24 h were observed to be geographically associated with these earthquake events. The anomalous atmospheric conditions can be understood based on increased air ionization at the ground-to-air interface due to the influx of positive-hole charge carriers that are stress-activated deep in the lithosphere and spread through the rock column. When the positive electronic charge carriers are accumulated at the lithosphere, preferentially at topographic highs, some steep electric fields are observed capable of field-ionizing the air. The airborne ions then act as condensation nuclei for atmospheric moisture, thermal updrafts, cloud formation, and a statistically significant precipitation increase. This research was conducted based on some experimental indicators in a very important seismological region to examine the successfulness of the proposed mechanism and the given indicators as the possible proxies of pre-earthquake precursors. Hence, the main practical implication of the research can highlight a sustainable way for improving the managerial tools in the field of earthquake prediction.
Keywords: cross-correlation function (CCF); seismo-climatic index (SCI); severe weather threat (SWEAT) index; pre-earthquake atmospheric anomalies; Japan cross-correlation function (CCF); seismo-climatic index (SCI); severe weather threat (SWEAT) index; pre-earthquake atmospheric anomalies; Japan

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Freund, F.T.; Mansouri Daneshvar, M.R.; Ebrahimi, M. Atmospheric Storm Anomalies Prior to Major Earthquakes in the Japan Region. Sustainability 2022, 14, 10241. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141610241

AMA Style

Freund FT, Mansouri Daneshvar MR, Ebrahimi M. Atmospheric Storm Anomalies Prior to Major Earthquakes in the Japan Region. Sustainability. 2022; 14(16):10241. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141610241

Chicago/Turabian Style

Freund, Friedemann T., Mohammad Reza Mansouri Daneshvar, and Majid Ebrahimi. 2022. "Atmospheric Storm Anomalies Prior to Major Earthquakes in the Japan Region" Sustainability 14, no. 16: 10241. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141610241

APA Style

Freund, F. T., Mansouri Daneshvar, M. R., & Ebrahimi, M. (2022). Atmospheric Storm Anomalies Prior to Major Earthquakes in the Japan Region. Sustainability, 14(16), 10241. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141610241

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop