Radon anomalies preceding earthquakes which occurred in the UK, in summer and autumn 2002

Abstract

During the course of an investigation into domestic radon levels in Northamptonshire, two hourly sampling real-time radon detectors were operated simultaneously in separate locations 2.25 km apart in Northampton, in the English East Midlands, for a 25-week period. This period of operation encompassed the period in September 2002 during which the Dudley earthquake (magnitude – 5.0) and smaller aftershocks occurred in the English West Midlands, UK. We report herein our observations regarding the occurrence of simultaneous short-period radon anomalies and their timing in relation to the Dudley, and other, earthquakes which occurred during the monitoring period. Analysis of the radon time-series reveals a short period when the two time-series displayed simultaneous in-phase short-term (6–9 h) radon anomalies prior to the main Dudley earthquake. Subsequent investigation revealed that a similar period occurred prior to another smaller but recorded earthquake in the English Channel.