Does air ionization by radon cause low-frequency atmospheric electromagnetic earthquake precursors?

• Published in: Natural hazards (Dordrecht) 2021-03, Vol.106 (1), p.701-714
• Main Authors: Schekotov, A., Hayakawa, M., Potirakis, S. M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air temperature; Civil Engineering; Condensation; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Earthquake prediction; Earthquakes; Electromagnetic induction; Electromagnetic radiation; Environmental Management; Geophysics/Geodesy; Geotechnical Engineering & Applied Earth Sciences; Humidity; Hydrogeology; Ionization; Low frequency; Magnetometers; Man made disasters; Natural Hazards; Nuclear accidents; Nuclear energy; Nuclear power plants; Original Paper; Radiation; Radon; Seismic activity; Water vapor; Water vapour; Weather stations
• ISSN: 0921-030X; 1573-0840
• DOI: 10.1007/s11069-020-04487-7

The aim of this work is to study the relationship between the pre-earthquake emissions of radon and ULF/ELF (1–30 Hz) atmospheric electromagnetic radiation. The problem is considered on the example of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. Radon, ionizing air, creates ions—centers of condensation of water vapor. As a result of condensation, heat is generated. It results in growth of air temperature and decrease in its humidity. This phenomenon serves as an indicator of air ionization. We used data from 20 Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) weather stations located on Honshu Island to estimate any changes in temperature and humidity over ± 20 days from the date of the main shock. At the same time, we monitored the intensity and location of the source of ULF/ELF radiation using three induction magnetometers belonging to Chubu University. We compared the times and locations of observed signs of ionization and electromagnetic radiation to find out their relationship. It turned out that they are independent, since their dates and localizations do not match. In addition, we found intense ionization of the air after March 11 over a large area of Honshu Island, caused by radiative radiation from the nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. However, this phenomenon did not cause low-frequency atmospheric electromagnetic radiation either. These suggest that there is no direct relationship between air ionization and ULF/ELF radiation. This is true at least for this case, given the island nature of the land and oceanic EQs.