Earthquake prediction research with plastic nuclear track detectors

Abstract

Since 1984 a German-Turkish project on earthquake prediction research is operating at the North Anatolian fault zone in Turkey. Among many other parameters also changes in Radon emission are investigated. Plastic nuclear track detectors (Kodak cellulose nitrate LR 115) are used to record alpha-particles emitted from Radon and Thoron atoms and their daughter isotopes. In regular time intervals of 3 weeks the detectors are replaced and analyzed. Thus a quasi-continuous time sequence of the Radon soil gas emission is recorded. We present a comparison between measurements made with electronic counters and plastic track detectors.