Acoustic, Electromagnetic, and Neutron Emissions as Seismic Precursors
摘要
Three different forms of fracto-emission can be used as earthquake precursors. At the macro-scale, Acoustic Emission (AE) prevails, as well as Electromagnetic Emission (EME) at the meso-scale, and Neutron Emission (NE) at the micro- and nano-scale. TeraHertz phonons are in fact produced at the last extremely small scale by mechanical instability phenomena, and fracture experiments on natural rocks have recently revealed that these high-frequency waves are able to induce nuclear fission reactions with neutron and/or alpha particle emissions. Relevant applications to earthquake precursors are proposed. The results obtained at a gypsum mine located in Northern Italy are presented. To avoid interference with human activities and cosmic rays, the measurement instruments are located at one hundred meters underground. The experimental results obtained from July 1st, 2013, to June 30, 2019 (six years) are analyzed by means of a suitable multi-modal statistics procedure. The experimental observations reveal a high correlation between the three fracto-emission peaks and the major earthquakes occurring in the areas closest to the seismic station. The three fracto-emissions result to be regularly, repeatably, and systematically shifted with respect to the next seismic event (approximately one day, 3–4 days, and one week before, respectively for AE, EME, and NE). In this context, an innovative dynamic extension of the concept of earthquake preparation zone is also proposed. Eventually, the evident correlation between small-magnitude seismic swarms occurring in the surroundings of the mine and Moon phases is emphasized.