Analysis of ULF Emissions in Solar Winds as A Short-Term Earthquake Precursor

Abstract

The physical destruction and fatalities caused by earthquake events compelled scientists to develop Earthquake predictions. Due to limited seismometer sensitivity, it was impossible to detect earthquake events; therefore, non-seismological is established, which in Ultra Low Frequency (ULF). The study of electromagnetic waves (EM) in the Ultra-Low Frequency (ULF) range is a promising tool for investigating seismomagnetic effects that act as an earthquake precursor. This study analysed the ULF frequency range as a short-term earthquake precursor at a depth < 100 km and an epicentral distance < 100 km (distance from Cebu magnetometer station) measured using a ground magnetometer installed in Cebu (10.36oN, 123.91oE), in the Philippines. This study also intended to determine the emission of magnetic pulsation (Pc4 and Pc5), solar wind parameters and near equatorial geomagnetic storms (SYM/H) in low latitude regions prior to an earthquake event. Findings show that the most evident ULF that acts as a potential earthquake precursor was at a frequency range of Pc5 (1.7 - 6.7 mHz) compared to Pc4 (6.7 - 22 mHz).  It also shows that high solar wind changes and geomagnetic storms respond to the emission of ULF magnetic pulsations (Pc4 and Pc5) prior to earthquake events at low latitudes.  Thus, it can be concluded that magnetic pulsations are signatures that indicate the probability of short-term earthquakes precursor.