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C. Thanassoulas

Publications and source records attributed to C. Thanassoulas.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Decomposing the "strange attractor like" seismic electric precursor into simpler components

An attempt is made in this work to decompose the "strange attractor like" seismic electric precursor into more simple and elementary components. The basic data files of the orthogonal (NS, EW) components of the Earth's electric field used for the compilation of the corresponding phase maps are decomposed by a joint non-linear inversion scheme into two basic oscillating electric fields. The first one, called "signal", is attributed to a single current source while the second, called "noise", is attributed to the mix-up of some regional and randomly located current sources. The comparison of the phase maps compiled from the raw data files to the ones compiled by the "signal" and "noise" data shows that the newly compiled "strange attractor like" phase maps preserve their predictive property while their appearance resembles simpler geometrical shapes (pure hyperbolas and ellipses). Moreover, it is postulated that its generating mechanism is the stress waves applied in the regional area by the combined interaction of the Sun, Moon and Earth (tidal waves). The latter mechanism, when the seismogenic area is under critical stress-charge conditions, triggers new current sources at places where the stress has reached locally critical stress levels and hence the "strange attractor like" seismic precursor is generated.

physics.geo-ph↗

Preseismic oscillating electric field "strange attractor like" precursor, of T = 6 months, triggered by Ssa tidal wave. Application on large (Ms > 6.0R) EQs in Greece (October 1st, 2006 - December 2nd, 2008)

In this work the preseismic "strange attractor like" precursor is studied, in the domain of the Earth's oscillating electric field for T = 6 months. It is assumed that the specific oscillating electric field is generated by the corresponding lithospheric oscillation, triggered by the Ssa tidal wave of the same wave length (6 months) under excess strain load conditions met in the focal area of a future large earthquake. The analysis of the recorded Earth's oscillating electric field by the two distant monitoring sites of PYR and HIO and for a period of time of 26 months (October 1st, 2006 - December 2nd, 2008) suggests that the specific precursor can successfully resolve the predictive time window in terms of months and for a "swarm" of large EQs (Ms > 6.0R), in contrast to the resolution obtained by the use of electric fields of shorter (T = 1, 14 days, single EQ identification) wave length. More over, the fractal character of the "strange attractor like" precursor in the frequency domain is pointed out. Finally, a proposal is made that concerns the continuous monitoring of the specific preseismic attractor in distinct different wave lengths of the oscillating Earth's electric field so that an early warning system can be utilized. As a refinement of the "strange attractor like" methodology, the guide lines of a generalized inversion scheme are presented so that the epicenter of the driving mechanism (seismic epicentral area) can be estimated in a least squares sense.

physics.geo-ph↗

Preseismic oscillating electric field "strange attractor" like precursor, of T=14 days, triggered by M1 tidal wave. Application on large (Ms > 6.0R) EQs in Greece (March 18th, 2006 - November 17th, 2008)

The "strange attractor like" precursor, calculated from the Earth's oscillating electric field registered at PYR and HIO monitoring sites located in Greece, is studied in the domain of T = 14 days. It is assumed that the generating precursory signals focal mechanism is triggered by the corresponding M1 (moon declination) tidal wave. The obtained results from the analysis of eight (8) cases of large (Ms>6.0R) EQs that occurred from March 18th, 2006 to November 17th, 2008 suggest the validity of the method. Moreover, it is found that the specific methodology applied for T = 14 days behaves very closely to the same one when applied for T = 1 day even though there is a resolution decrease in the calculated predictive time window for the occurrence of the oncoming large EQ. It is speculated that this type of precursor, once it is present in one distinct oscillating component of the seismic precursory generated electric field, then, most probably, it is present in most of its other oscillating components. The latter suggests the investigation of the preseismic precursory electric field at its longer wavelengths i.e. components triggered by the Ssa (6 months, moon declination) oscillating components. The large value of the obtained success rate (predicted EQs / total no. of large EQs) suggests its use as a time prediction tool in the domain of the "short-term prediction".

physics.geo-ph↗

Preseismic electric field "strange attractor" like precursor analysis applied on large (Ms > 5.5R) EQs, which occurred in Greece during December 1st, 2007 - April 30th, 2008

In order to investigate the capability of the preseismic electric field "strange attractor like" precursor as a time predictor of a large EQ within a short time window (short-term prediction), the specific methodology was applied on the Earth's electric field recorded during a rather long seismically active period (December 1st, 2007 - April 30th, 2008) of Greece. During this period of time a number (8) of large (Ms > 5.5R) earthquakes took place. The particular analysis is presented in detail for the following EQs: the Monemvasia EQ (January 6th 2008, Ms = 6.6R), the Methoni EQs (February 14th 2008 Ms = 6.7R, February 19th 2008 Ms = 5.6R, February 20th 2008 Ms = 6.5R, February 26th 2008 Ms = 5.7R), the Skyros EQ (March 19th 2008 Ms = 5.5R) and the Mid Southern Creta EQ (March 28th 2008 Ms = 5.6R). The obtained results from the analysis of the afore mentioned EQs, in conjunction to the ones obtained from an earlier presentation of the particular methodology (Thanassoulas et al. 2008a), suggest: an average time of initiation of the preseismic precursor of the order of (9) days before the EQ occurrence, a precursor average duration of the order of (7) days, while the elapsed time between the end of the precursor till the EQ occurrence time is, at average, only (2) days. These results suggest an objective and easy to apply method for the short-term EQ prediction, based on the registration of the Earth's electric field on ground surface.

physics.geo-ph↗

On a preseismic electric field "strange attractor" like precursor observed short before large earthquakes

The Earth's electric field, recorded by two different and distant monitoring sites located in Greece, is analyzed in terms of monochromatic signals (T=24h). The analysis is based on the mapping procedures borrowed from the study of non-linear dynamic systems and chaos. The specific analysis applied on the electric field recorded for some weeks before the occurrence of 3 large EQs which occurred in Greece shows some very interesting results. Long before the EQ occurrence the phase map generated by the uncorrelated each other signals recorded by a pair of distant monitoring sites is characterized by pairs of hyperbolas of random azimuth asymptotes. Some days before the occurrence of the earthquake the recorded signals are strongly correlated and therefore the phase map is characterized by ellipses. A couple of days before the EQ occurrence the electric signals become again uncorrelated due to the fact that their generating mechanism (large scale piezoelectricity) approaches its final stage and therefore hyperbolas characterize again the phase map. When this stage is observed the pending EQ shortly (in terms of days) takes place. Three detailed examples from large Greek EQs are presented towards the validation of this mechanism.

physics.geo-ph↗

Multidirectional analysis of the oscillating (T = 24 hours) Earth's electric field recorded on ground surface

The Earth's preseismic oscillating (T = 24h) electric field recorded for a short-time period of some days is analyzed in terms of its intensity vector azimuthal direction calculated at one monitoring site. The calculated azimuthal directions are compared to the concurrent seismicity observed for the same period of time. Examples are presented for proving the agreement between the electric field intensity vectors calculated azimuths and the corresponding ones referring to the EQs - monitoring site location. Finally, an example is presented on account of the use of this methodology upon three different monitoring sites for the utilization of the estimation of the epicentral area of a large future EQ at the Methoni, Greece seismogenic area.

physics.geo-ph↗

Extracting preseismic electric signals from noisy Earth's electric field data recordings. The "noise injection" method

An entirely different approach is used for the extraction of preseismic electric signals from highly contaminated by noise data series. The basic element of this method is the "Dirac Delta Function". Noise is injected, instead of applying any known method of filtering, in the data series at different amplitude levels (p value) and the generated "family" of filtered data series is compared to different convergence criteria. In the case of preseismic electric signals identification the most appropriate (p) value is selected by testing the convergence of generated intersections of more than three "families" of filtered data which were generated from more than three monitoring sites. The "noise injection" method was tested against real data recorded long before two large earthquakes in Greece and one in Turkey.

physics.geo-ph↗

The seismogenic area in the lithosphere considered as an "Open Physical System". Its implications on some seismological aspects. Part - III. Seismic Potential

The seismic potential of any regional seismogenic area is analyzed in terms of the "open physical system" inflow - outflow energy balance model (Thanassoulas, 2008, Part - I). Following the magnitude determination method presented by Thanassoulas, (2008, Part - II) any region of any arbitrary area extent is assumed as being a potential seismogenic region. Consequently, the capability for the generation of a maximum magnitude future EQ at each virtual seismogenic region is investigated all over Greece at certain times. The later results are used to compile maps of the seismic potential / maximum expected EQ magnitude for Greece at 5 year's intervals ranging from 1970 to 2000. The comparison of these seismic potential maps / maximum expected EQ magnitude to the corresponding seismicity (M>6R) for each corresponding 5 years period reveals their tight interrelation. Therefore, the calculated seismic potential / maximum expected EQ magnitude, due to its drastic change in time in any seismogenic region, is a dynamic in time parameter which indicates the seismic energy charge status of each seismogenic area.

physics.geo-ph↗

The seismogenic area in the lithosphere considered as an "Open Physical System". Its implications on some seismological aspects. Part - I. Accelerated deformation

The seismogenic area in the lithosphere is considered as an open physical system. The mathematical analysis of its inflow - outflow energy balance reveals the presence of specific energy flow physical models. The later comply with what has been observed by seismologists as "accelerated deformation" and "seismic quiescence". These physical models are represented by low-order cumulative seismic energy release analytical polynomial functions in time. The time derivatives of these functions, analytically calculated, provide a more sharp indication for the time of occurrence of a future large EQ. Examples from the application of this approach on real large EQs from the Greek territory are presented. Moreover, this methodology can be used for the determination of: the maximum expected magnitude of a future large EQ of a specific seismically activated seismogenic area and the compilation of seismic potential regional maps. The later will be presented in details in articles to follow soon.

physics.geo-ph↗

"Short-term time prediction" of large EQs by the use of "Large Scale Piezoelectricity" generated by the focal areas loaded with excess stress load

In this work, it is demonstrated that the Earth's preseismic electric field, which is registered by a pair of electrodes in contact to the ground surface at certain distance from the epicentral area, corresponds to the gradient of the total field generated in the focal area as a function of time and distance from it. The original form of the generated preseismic field follows closely the theoretical piezoelectric potential form. The later is obtained after integration in time of the original registered potential grad data values. Consequently, the time of occurrence of the imminent earthquake (collapsing of the rock formation) is estimated by the classical laws of rock fracturing based on theoretical Rock Mechanics. The methodology has been tested on the grad potential data, registered in Greece, before four large EQs which took place in the regional area as follows: Izmit, Turkey EQ (M = 7.8R, 17th August, 1999), Milos, Greece EQ (M = 5.6R, 21st May, 2002), Kythira Greece EQ (M = 6.9R, 8th January, 2006) and Methoni, Greece EQ (M = 6.7R, 14th February, 2008). The obtained results prove the validity of the postulated methodology.

physics.geo-ph↗

The electric field of the Earth after the occurrence of the February 14th, 2008, Ms = 6.7R EQ in Greece. Its implications towards the prediction of a probable future large EQ

The electric field of the Earth registered by three monitoring sites (ATH, PYR, HIO) located in Greece, is investigated and analyzed after the occurrence of the Methoni EQ (14th of February, 2008, Ms =6.7R). The period of analysis is performed for 2 days (21st-22nd of February) and 7 days after the occurrence of the main seismic event. The obtained results suggest that the seismogenic area generates electrical signals denoting a specific epicentral area. This area coincides with the already seismically activated area. An estimate for the time of occurrence of this EQ is made by the application of the Oscillating Lithospheric Plate Model. The analysis of the seismic potential of the regional area suggests that the remaining stored seismic energy is capable of producing a large earthquake in the same area. The expected maximum magnitude (Ms) of a future earthquake which could take place in the same seismogenic area is estimated as Ms = 7.24R by the application of the Lithospheric Seismic Energy flow model.

physics.geo-ph↗

The possible correlation between electromagnetic earth fields and future earthquakes

From 23 - 27 July 2001 in the Institute of Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia was held a seminar under the title: "Possible correlations between electromagnetic earth fields and future earthquakes" organized by the Institute's Department of "Astrophysical Objects and Environment". As a main result of the first two days seminar work was the prediction of the direction and the day of the Skyros, Greece earthquake, that was confirned in the next day: Aeg. Sea, 07/26 00:21:37, 39.06N 24.34E, Depth 19 km, Mag 6.3- http://www.noa.gr/English/home-en.html. Analogously, a month later the day of Yambol, Bulgaria eartquake was predicted. The papers of A.M.Galper et al (2001), "High- energy charged particle flux variations in vicinity of Earth as earthquakes precursors", http://www.pereplet.ru/pops/quakes.html, and http://science.rambler.ru/db/msg.html?mid=1168269&uri=galper.html, the analysis of NASA data from http://www.sel.noaa.gov, explained why the Seminar main hypothesis works and give an optimism the combined earth and satellite monitoring for earthquakes "prediction" will succeed this time. The authors are looking forward and waiting with respect for opinions, suggestions, and possible collaboration.

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