Satellite detection of thermal precursors of Yamnotri, Ravar and Dalbandin earthquakes

Abstract

Prior to the occurrence of an earthquake, the region undergoes intensive physiochemical changes. Such changes trigger degassing charge generation leading to positive change in the thermal regime and consequently creation of an earthquake preparation zone. These changes in thermal regime can be detected by the thermal sensors onboard various polar orbiting satellites. Recent researches have demonstrated that thermal infrared sensors onboard satellites (e. g., NOAA-AVHRR and Terra/Aqua-MODIS) can detect temporal transient thermal infrared anomalies prior to an earthquake. The paper presents satellite-based thermal observations associated with Yamnotri (July 22, 2007, India), Ravar (October 14, 2004, Iran) and Dalbandin (January 19, 2011, Pakistan) earthquakes. In the case of Yamnotri earthquake, the region attained around 5-8°C higher than the normal temperature on July 21, 2007 in the area, just 1 day before the earthquake. Whereas, in the case of Ravar earthquake, the region has shown 5-7°C higher temperature on October 06, 2004 about 6 days before the occurrence of the main earthquake event. Dalbandin earthquake showed a maxima on January 17, 2011, just 2 days before the main shock with the raised temperature of around 8-10°C. Another common observation in all these earthquakes is the disappearance of short-term transient thermal anomaly just before the main shock. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.