Bizarre Earthquake Cloud Formations

[christo-f]

Radio waves were disrupted before quake, researchers say

Stephen Chen

Jul 27, 2009

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Disruption of radio waves occurred above the epicentre of last year's Sichuan earthquake for a month before it struck, according to mainland researchers.

While most scientists believe earthquakes are impossible to predict, the discovery has the potential to prove otherwise.

 

 

 

Using data gathered by a French seismology satellite, a team led by Yang Dongmei at the China Earthquake Administration's Institute of Geophysics, found that disruption of very-low-frequency (VLF) radio signals above the quake zone increased before the disaster.

 

From April 1 to May 12, the disruption created a massive radio-wave blackout above Sichuan up until the quake struck and killed more than 80,000 residents. The blackout ended after the quake and signal clarity had returned to normal by June 21.

 

VLF radio waves were used by aircraft for navigation before satellite-based navigation systems became dominant. Many VLF stations are still functioning today. This means that if Professor Yang's discovery proves credible, the prediction of earthquakes would not require expensive and sophisticated seismic-monitoring systems.

 

Professor Yang said the disturbance was likely caused by the influence of heightened seismic activity in the ionosphere.

 

The ionosphere is the uppermost part of the atmosphere. It is ionised by sunlight and acts as a mirror, reflecting radio waves.

 

Even before an earthquake strikes, the area concerned emits a considerable amount of electromagnetic radiation, chemicals and sound waves. Some of the emissions can change the density, temperature or level of ionisation in the atmosphere, disrupting VLF signals.

 

Professor Yang said their findings were similar to what Japanese researchers had concluded after earthquakes in Japan, including the 1995 quake in Kobe.

 

"But this is far from saying we can predict when the next one will happen," she said. "The [French] satellite isn't a crystal ball."

 

The French satellite was launched in 2004 and was the first to be used exclusively to study earthquakes.

 

It has numerous sensors to detect magnetic levels, electrons and high-energy particles that some researchers believe are closely related to earthquakes.

 

The satellite is relatively low-cost, and the quality and speed of its data is limited - meaning the data it disseminates offers few clues in predicting exactly where and when an earthquake will strike.

 

But for researchers like Professor Yang, it is better than nothing. "I hope we will have our own earthquake satellite soon so we don't have to rely on other countries," she said. "Then we will be able to get more precise and timely results."

 

Earthquake-prone Japan has been at the forefront of earthquake prediction and is the only country that has a warning system.

 

The theory is simple - when a tremor occurs underground, primary waves travel twice as fast as the secondary waves.

 

Since most of the destruction is caused by secondary waves, it is possible to raise an alert

[NewAccount12345]

BEHOLD THE PLANET EARTHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[the dark horse]

yeah i did that ... parted the clouds that is. sometimes ill do that while im killing time before work .... it helps me get rid of my tan lines, plus it makes my hair look a little bit blonder .......

[the dark horse]

they call me homoses

[thequeen]

its kinda pointless. earthquake alerts..... where would you go?

 

you can't

[shai]

I would head for the nearest door frame or open field away from power lines.

[HUSK]

 

HOW BIZARRE... HOW BIZARRE!