[1] The subionospheric VLF/LF propagation is extensively used to investigate the lower ionospheric perturbation in possible association with earthquakes. An extensive period of data over 7 yr from January 2001 to December 2007 and a combination of different propagation paths in and around Japan are used to examine the statistical correlation between the VLF/LF propagation anomaly (average nighttime amplitude, dispersion, and nighttime fluctuation) and earthquakes with magnitude >6.0. It is then found that the propagation anomaly exceeding the 2σ (standard deviation) criterion indicating the presence of ionospheric perturbation is significantly correlated with earthquakes with shallow depth (<40 km). Finally, the mechanism of seismoionospheric perturbations is discussed.

https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1029/2009JA015143

A statistical study on the correlation between lower ionospheric perturbations as seen by subionospheric VLF/LF propagation and earthquakes

It is recently recognized that the ionosphere is very sensitive to seismic effects, and the detection of ionospheric perturbations associated with earthquakes, seems to be very promising for short-term earthquake prediction. We have proposed a possible use of VLF/LF (very low frequency (3-30 kHz) /low frequency (30-300 kHz)) radio sounding of the seismo-ionospheric perturbations. A brief history of the use of subionospheric VLF/LF propagation for the short-term earthquake prediction is given, followed by a significant finding of ionospheric perturbation for the Kobe earthquake in 1995. After showing previous VLF/LF results, we present the latest VLF/LF findings; One is the statistical correlation of the ionospheric perturbation with earthquakes and the second is a case study for the Sumatra earthquake in December, 2004, indicating the spatical scale and dynamics of ionospheric perturbation for this earthquake.

/pdf/vlf-lf-radio-sounding-of-ionospheric-perturbations-3qixnnjysc.pdf

VLF/LF Radio Sounding of Ionospheric Perturbations Associated with Earthquakes

Short-term (timescale of hours, days and weeks) earthquake (EQ) prediction is of essential importance to mitigate EQ disasters. Short-term EQ prediction has so far been based on seismic measurement...

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/19475705.2010.486933

Current status of seismo-electromagnetics for short-term earthquake prediction

. A superimposed epoch analysis has been undertaken, in order to find the correlation of the ionospheric perturbations with seismic activity. We take the wave path from the Japanese LF transmitter (frequency=40 kHz) and an observing station of Kochi (wave path length of 770 km), and a much longer period (of five years) than before, is considered. This subionospheric LF propagation can be called "an integrated measurement" in the sense that any earthquakes in the LF sensitive area just around the great-circle path can influence the observed LF signals, so that we define the "effective magnitude" (Meff) by integrating the total energy from different earthquakes in the sensitive area on a current day and by converting it back into magnitude. A superimposed epoch analysis for the effective magnitude greater than 6.0 has yielded that the ionosphere is definitely disturbed in terms of both amplitude and dispersion, and that these perturbations tend to take place prior to an earthquake. The statistical z-test has also been performed, which has indicated that the amplitude is definitely depleted 2–6 days before the earthquake day and also that the dispersion is very much enhanced during the same period. This statistical study has given strong support to the existence of seismo-ionospheric perturbations for high seismic activity.

/pdf/a-statistical-study-on-the-effect-of-earthquakes-on-the-1hr3m4ry6a.pdf

A statistical study on the effect of earthquakes on the ionosphere, based on the subionospheric LF propagation data in Japan

Investigation of precursory phenomena in the ionosphere, atmosphere and groundwater before large earthquakes of M > 6.5

This paper summarizes the electromagnetic precursory phenomena for the 2004 Mid Niigata Prefecture earthquake on October 23, 2004. Three different kinds of seismogenic perturbations have been observed; (1) lithospheric DC/ULF emissions, (2) atmospheric radio noise in the VHF band and (3) ionospheric disturbances. The DC/ULF emissions as observed at Nakatsugawa (in Gifu Prefecture) are detected on October 2–6, and the direction finding result has indicated the possible observed azimuth very close to the epicentral region. Then, we have observed the atmospheric radio noises in the VHF band on October 15–18, which are found to have the azimuth from Chofu very close to the epicentral zone. Finally, nearly at the same time (about one week before the earthquake) we have observed significant ionospheric perturbations on the subionospheric VLF/LF propagation characteristics by means of the shift in terminator time and enhancement in signal fluctuation for one particular path from the JJY (in Fukushima Prefecture) to Kochi. These perturbations not only in the lithosphere, but also in the atmosphere and ionosphere, are likely to be precursors to the 2004 Mid Niigata Prefecture earthquake.

H. Sasaki

Papers

Electromagnetic precursors to the 2004 Mid Niigata Prefecture earthquake