Physical SciencesEarth and Planetary SciencesGeophysics

Earthquake Detection and Analysis

Detecting earthquakes before they rupture remains one of geophysics' hardest unsolved problems, and a growing body of research investigates whether subtle physical changes in Earth's crust, atmosphere, and ionosphere might serve as reliable precursors. Scientists have documented anomalies ranging from shifts in geoelectric potential and bursts of low-frequency electromagnetic radiation near fault zones, to temperature irregularities captured by infrared satellites and disturbances in electron density high in the ionosphere—observations collectively understood through the framework of lithosphere-atmosphere-ionosphere coupling. The central challenge is distinguishing genuine pre-seismic signals from the considerable background noise produced by weather, solar activity, and human infrastructure, and no precursor type has yet achieved the consistency needed for operational earthquake forecasting. Active research directions include refining the physical mechanisms that might link stress changes deep in the crust to measurable surface and atmospheric effects, and building multi-parameter monitoring networks that can test whether combining several signal types improves predictive reliability.

Works
139,083
Total citations
373,389
Keywords
Ionospheric AnomaliesSeismic ElectromagneticsPre-earthquake SignalsThermal Infrared EmissionLithosphere-Atmosphere-Ionosphere CouplingElectromagnetic Radiation

Top papers in Earthquake Detection and Analysis

Ordered by total citation count.

Active researchers

Top authors in this area, ranked by h-index.

Related topics