“COMPASS 2” Satellite and Ground-Based Experiments

Abstract

This review is devoted to modern methods of earthquake (EQ) prediction. Section 4.2 contains the first results of special satellite “COMPASS 2” destined for the detection of seism-electromagnetic (EM) effects. A whistler group in the higher-order guided mode was recorded. Probably it was propagating between two layers, caused by onion-like structure of inhomogeneities in the plasma sphere. In Section 4.3, ELF-VLF effects observed over seism-active regions by the satellite “INTERCOSMOS-24” are considered. It was revealed that the D-region conductivity decreases during the earthquake preparation at Kp < 3 and increases during geomagnetic disturbances. The seismic and geomagnetic effects are assumed to be attributable, respectively, to the increase in near-ground atmospheric conductivity caused by radon emanation during fissuring and to the precipitation of high-energy particles from the inner radiation belt. In Section 4.4, results of the earthquake precursor occurrence time analysis in quasi-static electric field of the surface atmosphere on the Kamchatka Peninsula are presented. The propagation velocity of the precursors and their occurrence time are estimated for different geophysical conditions. ULF-effects in magnetic fields as a result of aftershocks are considered. In Section 4.5, relation between precursors in quasistatic electric fields and in ionosphere parameters is analyzed. This relation reflects the processes of lithosphere–ionosphere interaction.