Recommended Citation
January 1, 2010.
Abstract
Preceding major earthquakes (magnitude 5.0 and greater), changes in the Earth's Thermal Infrared (TIR) emission, radar reflectivity, human/animal behavior, magnetic field pulsations, electric fields, ground and spring water chemistry, and electron densities in the ionosphere have been observed and, consequently, are now being monitored more closely. Changes in both TIR emission and radar reflectivity are remotely detectable. We are testing the hypothesis that there is a unique pre-earthquake signal in MODIS TIR satellite data by comparing MODIS TIR data collected just before a major earthquake to MODIS TIR data collected during periods of little seismic activity, thereby allowing this EQP (Earth prediction) signal, if it exists, to be isolated. We are using programs such as MatLab and ENVI to eliminate noise in the pre-earthquake data to increase this EQP/N ratio and determine whether this specific signature exists. Similarly, the InSAR data are being analyzed to further identify another possible EQP signal. An accurate EQP signal would allow for predictions of major earthquake weeks before an event.
Mentor
Vern Vanderbilt
Lab site
NASA Ames Research Center (ARC)
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/star/2