Detecting seismic IR anomalies in bi-angular Advanced Along-Track Scanning Radiometer data

• Published in: Natural hazards and earth system sciences 2013-08, Vol.13 (8), p.2065-2074
• Main Authors: Xiong, P, Gu, X. F, Bi, Y. X, Shen, X. H, Meng, Q. Y, Zhao, L. M, Kang, C. L, Chen, L. Z, Jing, F, Yao, N, Zhao, Y. H, Li, X. M, Li, Y, Dong, J. T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Anomalies; Continuity; Earthquakes; Information management; Infrared; Radiometers; Scanning; Seismic analysis; Seismic phenomena; Temporal logic
• ISSN: 1684-9981; 1561-8633; 1684-9981
• DOI: 10.5194/nhess-13-2065-2013

This paper presents a validation and confutation analysis using the methods of the robust satellite data analysis technique (RST) to detect seismic anomalies within the bi-angular Advanced Along-Track Scanning Radiometer (AATSR) data based on spatial/temporal continuity analysis. The distinguishing feature of our method is that we carried out a comparative analysis of seismic anomalies from bi-directional observation, which could help understanding seismic thermal infrared (TIR) anomalies. The proposed method has been applied to analyse bi-angular AATSR gridded brightness temperature data with longitude from 5 to 25° E and latitude from 35 to 50° N associated with the earthquake that occurred in Abruzzo, Italy, on 6 April 2009, and a full data set of 7 yr data from 2003 to 2009 during the months of March and April has been analysed for validation purposes. Unperturbed periods (March-April 2008) have been considered for confutation analysis. Combining with the tectonic explanation of spatial and temporal continuity of the abnormal phenomena, along with the analysed results, a number of anomalies could be associated with possible seismic activities, which follow the same time and space. Therefore, we conclude that the anomalies observed from 29 March 2009 to 5 April 2009, about eight days before the Abruzzo earthquake, could be earthquake anomalies.