The Fine Structure of Coseismic Electromagnetic Response Based on Geomagnetic and Seismological Observations

Abstract

This paper examines the response in geomagnetic-field variations caused by the 2020–2023 earthquakes with magnitudes Mw ≥ 7.0 in the Aegean Sea and eastern Turkey. A detailed comparison of high-precision observations of the geomagnetic field and seismograms recorded at complex geophysical observatories within a radius of 3000 km from the epicenters was carried out. The joint analysis involves averaged 1-s data on the rate of change of the magnetic field and records from broadband seismic stations. Their characteristics are assessed in both in time and frequency domains. The spectral characteristics of body and surface waves are separately compared with those of the geomagnetic signal. It is shown that the beginning of disturbance in the magnetic field at each observatory strictly coincides with the arrival of the P-wave and intensifies with the arrival of S-waves. The maximum geomagnetic disturbance is caused by surface waves. The amplitude of electromagnetic excitations is proportional to the amplitude of the parent seismic phases. Thus, the coseismic nature of the observed electromagnetic signal has been confirmed, suggesting its excitation in the Earth’s crust as seismic waves propagate.