Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Detecting seismic electromagnetic ELF anomalies associated with the 2010 Yushu earthquake in China by DEMETER observations and ELF Lithosphere-Atmosphere-Ionosphere coupling propagating model

  • Article
  • Published:
Science China Technological Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Over the last century, abnormal electromagnetic (EM) emissions associated with earthquake (EQ) activities have been widely reported and recorded by ground-based and satellite observations. However, the frequency at which abnormal EM emissions have been detected varies. In addition, whether low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites can detect EM anomalies from EQs remains controversial. In this paper, we take the Yushu earthquake as an example to address these concerns by DEMETER satellite observations and a newly constructed lithosphere-atmosphere-ionosphere model of extremely low frequency (ELF) wave propagation. The results illustrate that the frequency of ELF EM anomalies of the Yushu earthquake is mainly at 200–400 Hz. The observations and simulations illustrate that the power-frequency curve of the ELF EM wave from an underground source has a peak power frequency at 200–400 Hz, which is significantly different from the ELF EM wave radiated from the ground source.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Freund F. Pre-earthquake signals: Underlying physical processes. J Asian Earth Sci, 2011, 41: 383–400

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Gokhberg M B, Morgounov V A, Yoshino T, et al. Experimental measurement of electromagnetic emissions possibly related to earthquakes in Japan. J Geophys Res, 1982, 87: 7824–7828

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Hayakawa M. VLF/LF radio sounding of ionospheric perturbations associated with earthquakes. Sensors, 2007, 7: 1141–1158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Huang Q. Rethinking earthquake-related DC-ULF electromagnetic phenomena: Towards a physics-based approach. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci, 2011, 11: 2941–2949

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Sorokin V M, Chmyrev V M, Yaschenko A K. Electrodynamic model of the lower atmosphere and the ionosphere coupling. J Atmos Sol-Terrestrial Phys, 2001, 63: 1681–1691

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Hayakawa M, Itoh T, Hattori K, et al. ULF electromagnetic precursors for an earthquake at Biak, Indonesia on February 17, 1996. Geophys Res Lett, 2000, 27: 1531–1534

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Du A, Huang Q, Yang S. Epicenter location by abnormal ULF electromagnetic emissions. Geophys Res Lett, 2002, 29: 94–1–94–3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Larkina V I, Migulin V V, Molchanov O A, et al. Some statistical results on very low frequency radiowave emissions in the upper ionosphere over earthquake zones. Phys Earth Planet Inter, 1989, 57: 100–109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Serebriakova O N, Bilichenko S V, Chmyrev V M, et al. Electromagnetic ELF radiation from earthquake regions as observed by low-altitude satellites. Geophys Res Lett, 1992, 19: 91–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Parrot M. Statistical study of ELF/VLF emissions recorded by a low-altitude satellite during seismic events. J Geophys Res, 1994, 99: 23339–23348

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Lagoutte D, Brochot J Y, de Carvalho D, et al. The DEMETER science mission centre. Planet Space Sci, 2006, 54: 428–440

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Parrot M, Benoist D, Berthelier J J, et al. The magnetic field experiment IMSC and its data processing onboard DEMETER: Scientific objectives, description and first results. Planet Space Sci, 2006, 54: 441–455

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Bertello I, Piersanti M, Candidi M, et al. Electromagnetic field observations by the DEMETER satellite in connection with the 2009 L’Aquila earthquake. Ann Geophys, 2018, 36: 1483–1493

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Bhattacharya S, Sarkar S, Gwal A K, et al. Satellite and ground-based ULF/ELF emissions observed before Gujarat earthquake in March 2006. Curr Sci, 2007, 93: 41–46

    Google Scholar 

  15. Bleçki J, Parrot M, Wronowski R. Studies of the electromagnetic field variations in ELF frequency range registered by DEMETER over the Sichuan region prior to the 12 May 2008 earthquake. Int J Remote Sens, 2010, 31: 3615–3629

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Nĕmec F, Santolík O, Parrot M, et al. Spacecraft observations of electromagnetic perturbations connected with seismic activity. Geophys Res Lett, 2008, 35: L05109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Nĕmec F, Santolík O, Parrot M. Decrease of intensity of ELF/VLF waves observed in the upper ionosphere close to earthquakes: A statistical study. J Geophys Res, 2009, 114: A04303

    Google Scholar 

  18. Zhima Z, Hu Y, Piersanti M, et al. The seismic electromagnetic emissions during the 2010 Mw 7.8 northern Sumatra earthquake revealed by DEMETER satellite. Front Earth Sci, 2020, 8: 459

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Píša D, Nĕmec F, Santolík O, et al. Additional attenuation of natural VLF electromagnetic waves observed by the DEMETER spacecraft resulting from preseismic activity. J Geophys Res Space Phys, 2013, 118: 5286–5295

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Henderson T R, Sonwalkar V S, Helliwell R A, et al. A search for ELF/VLF emissions induced by earthquakes as observed in the ionosphere by the DE 2 satellite. J Geophys Res, 1993, 98: 9503–9514

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Rodger C J, Thomson N R, Dowden R L. A search for ELF/VLF activity associated with earthquakes using ISIS satellite data. J Geophys Res- Space Phys, 1996, 101: 13369–13378

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Helliwell R A. Whistlers and Related Ionospheric Phenomena. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1965

    Google Scholar 

  23. Lehtinen N G, Inan U S. Radiation of ELF/VLF waves by harmonically varying currents into a stratified ionosphere with application to radiation by a modulated electrojet. J Geophys Res, 2008, 113: A06301

    Google Scholar 

  24. Nagano I, Miyamura K, Yagitani S, et al. Full wave calculation method of VLF wave radiated from a dipole antenna in the ionosphere-analysis of joint experiment by HIPAS and Akebono satellite. Electron Comm Jpn Pt I, 1994, 77: 59–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Starks M J, Quinn R A, Ginet G P, et al. Illumination of the plasmasphere by terrestrial very low frequency transmitters: Model validation. J Geophys Res, 2008, 113: A09320

    Google Scholar 

  26. Zhao S, Liao L, Zhang X M. Trans-ionospheric VLF wave power absorption of terrestrial VLF signal (in Chinese). Chin J Geophys, 2017, 60: 3004–3014

    Google Scholar 

  27. Cohen M B, Inan U S. Terrestrial VLF transmitter injection into the magnetosphere. J Geophys Res, 2012, 117: A08310

    Google Scholar 

  28. Lehtinen N G, Inan U S. Full-wave modeling of transionospheric propagation of VLF waves. Geophys Res Lett, 2009, 36: L03104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Zhao S, Zhou C, Shen X, et al. Investigation of VLF transmitter signals in the ionosphere by ZH-1 observations and full-wave simulation. J Geophys Res Space Phys, 2019, 124: 4697–4709

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Liao L, Zhao S, Shen X, et al. Characteristic analysis and full wave simulation of electrical field for China seismo-electromagnetic satellite observations radiated from VLF transmitter (in Chinese). Chin J Geophys, 2019, 62: 1210–1217

    Google Scholar 

  31. Zhao S, Shen X, Zhou C, et al. The influence of the ionospheric disturbance on the ground based VLF transmitter signal recorded by LEO satellite—Insight from full wave simulation. Results Phys, 2020, 19: 103391

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Berthelier J J, Godefroy M, Leblanc F, et al. ICE, the electric field experiment on DEMETER. Planet Space Sci, 2006, 54: 456–471

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Zhao S F, Shen X H, Liao L, et al. A lithosphere-atmosphere-ionosphere coupling model for ELF electromagnetic waves radiated from seismic sources and its possibility observed by the CSES. Sci China Technol Sci, 2021, 64: 2551–2559

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Yeh K C, Liu C H. Theory of Ionospheric Waves. New York: Academic Press, 1972

    Google Scholar 

  35. Bilitza D, Reinisch B W. International Reference Ionosphere 2007: Improvements and new parameters. Adv Space Res, 2008, 42: 599–609

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Finlay C C, Maus S, Beggan C D, et al. International geomagnetic reference field: The eleventh generation. Geophys J Int, 2010, 183: 1216–1230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Budden K. The Propagation of Radio Waves: The Theory of Radio Waves of Low Power In The Ionosphere And Magnetosphere. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1985

    Book  Google Scholar 

  38. Dobrovolsky I P, Zubkov S I, Miachkin V I. Estimation of the size of earthquake preparation zones. Pure Appl Geophys, 1979, 117: 1025–1044

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Liu J Y, Chen Y I, Chen C H, et al. Seismoionospheric GPS total electron content anomalies observed before the 12 May 2008 Mw 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake. J Geophys Res, 2009, 114: A04320

    Google Scholar 

  40. Santolík O, Parrot M, Lefeuvre F. Singular value decomposition methods for wave propagation analysis. Radio Sci, 2003, 38: 1010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Wei X H, Cao J B, Zhou G C, et al. Cluster observations of waves in the whistler frequency range associated with magnetic reconnection in the Earth’s magnetotail. J Geophys Res, 2007, 112: A10225

    Google Scholar 

  42. Zhima Z, Chen L, Xiong Y, et al. On the origin of ionospheric hiss: A conjugate observation. J Geophys Res Space Phys, 2017, 122: 784–793

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Santolík O, Nĕmec F, Parrot M, et al. Analysis methods for multi-component wave measurements on board the DEMETER spacecraft. Planet Space Sci, 2006, 54: 512–527

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Xia M, Chen Z. Investigation of ELF radiation generated by artificailly moulated ionosphere and its applicability to communication to submarines. J Electronics Inf T, 1995, 2: 164–170

    Google Scholar 

  45. Li M, Tan H, Wang Z, et al. Using the electron-hole theory to estimate the “energy” magnitude related to the electromagnetic abnormities before the Wenchuan MS8.0 earthquake (in Chinese). Acta Seismol Sin, 2015, 37: 842–852

    Google Scholar 

  46. Zhang D, Wang S, Zhang N. The theoretic calculation of intensity of quasi-static electromagnetic field about electromagnetic radiation signal of impending earthquake (in Chinese). Northwestern Seismol J, 1989, 11: 28–32

    Google Scholar 

  47. Ozaki M, Yagitani S, Nagano I, et al. Ionospheric penetration characteristics of ELF waves radiated from a current source in the lithosphere related to seismic activity. Radio Sci, 2009, 44: RS1005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Fuji-ta K, Katsura T, Tainosho Y. Electrical conductivity measurement of granulite under mid- to lower crustal pressure-temperature conditions. Geophys J Int, 2004, 157: 79–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Batten S, Rees D, Fuller-Rowell T J. A numerical data base for VAX and personal computers for the storage, reconstruction and display of global thermospheric and ionospheric models. Planet Space Sci, 1987, 35: 1167–1179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Ando Y, Hayakawa M, Molchanov O A. Theoretical analysis on the penetration of power line harmonic radiation into the ionosphere. Radio Sci, 2002, 37: 1–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Hayakawa M, Ohta K, Baba K. Wave characteristics of tweek atmospherics deduced from the direction finding measurement and theoretical interpretations. J Geophys Res, 1994, 99: 733–743

    Google Scholar 

  52. Thompson G C. Design of an ELF/VLF satellite for under the ice submarine communications. Dissertation for Master’s Degree. Monterey: Naval Postgraduate School, 1988

    Google Scholar 

  53. Chen L, Santolík O, Hajoš M, et al. Source of the low-altitude hiss in the ionosphere. Geophys Res Lett, 2017, 44: 2060–2069

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Marshall R A, Inan U S, Glukhov V S. Elves and associated electron density changes due to cloud-to-ground and in-cloud lightning discharges. J Geophys Res, 2010, 115: A00E17

    Google Scholar 

  55. Maurya A K, Venkatesham K, Tiwari P, et al. The 25 April 2015 Nepal earthquake: Investigation of precursor in VLF subionospheric signal. J Geophys Res Space Phys, 2016, 121: 10,403–10,416

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Xia Z, Chen L, Zhima Z, et al. Statistical characteristics of ionospheric hiss waves. Geophys Res Lett, 2019, 46: 7147–7156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Khan A, Jin S. Gravity wave activities in Tibet observed by COSMIC GPS radio occultation. Geodesy GeoDyn, 2018, 9: 504–511

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Geophysics, China Earthquake Administration, Beijing, 100081, China

    Li Liao

  2. National Institute of Natural Hazards, Ministry of Emergency Management of China, Beijing, 100085, China

    ShuFan Zhao, XuHui Shen, ZhiMa Zeren & HengXin Lu

  3. China Research Institute of Radiowave Propagation, Qingdao, 266107, China

    HuaiYun Peng

Authors
  1. Li Liao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. ShuFan Zhao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. XuHui Shen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. ZhiMa Zeren
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. HuaiYun Peng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. HengXin Lu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to ShuFan Zhao or XuHui Shen.

Additional information

Supporting Information

The supporting information is available online at tech.scichina.com and link.springer.com. The supporting materials are published as submitted, without typesetting or editing. The responsibility for scientific accuracy and content remains entirely with the authors.

This work was supported by the National Institute of Natural Hazards, Ministry of Emergency Management of China (Grant No. ZDJ2020-06), the Institute of Geophysics, China Earthquake Administration (Grant No. DQJB19B27), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 41704156, 41874174, 41804156), the China Research Institute of Radiowave Propagation (Research on low ionosphere satellite detection and Research on the coupling mechanism of lithosphere-atmosphere-ionosphere alternating electric field), the National Key R&D Program of China (Grant No. 2018YFC1503501), and the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO) Earthquake Research Project Phase II. We acknowledge the DEMETER Scientific Mission Centre for providing the data from the DEMETER satellite (http://demeter.cnrs-orleans.fr). We would like to thank Dr. Xu Xiang and Dr. Liu Moran for the discussion on the results of wave vector analysis.

Electronic Supplementary Material

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Liao, L., Zhao, S., Shen, X. et al. Detecting seismic electromagnetic ELF anomalies associated with the 2010 Yushu earthquake in China by DEMETER observations and ELF Lithosphere-Atmosphere-Ionosphere coupling propagating model. Sci. China Technol. Sci. 66, 1192–1202 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-022-2164-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-022-2164-7

Search

Navigation