Применение изотопов радона для изучения вариаций напряженного состояния горных пород при прогнозе землетрясений

Abstract

The results of interpretation of monitoring observations of radon-220 (thoron) and radon-222 monitoring observations, carried out in 2002-2004 on the Northern Tien-Shan, are presented. Prognostic capabilities of thoron as a short-term earthquakes precursor are shown. It is noted that the anomalies of thoron are more contrast in comparison with anomalies of radon-222. Insufficient contrast of radon-222 anomalies is explained by methodological in observations by seismic radon stations. The behavior of thoron during the earthquake preparation agrees with the previously established spatial-temporal patterns for radon-222 (Kozlova et al., 2021 Radon isotopes are most suitable for monitoring observations of the earthquake preparation process using gases that are part of the underground atmosphere. The prospect of using other gases is limited by the absence of their continuous generation, by the presence of a cumulative effect, and by the difficulty of registration. The above also applies to the use for prognostic purposes of variations in the content of chemical compounds dissolved in groundwater.