Temperature and thermosphere dynamics behavior analysis over earthquake epicentres from satellite measurements

Abstract

A search of possible response in temperature and wind in the atmosphere for nearby earthquakes has been carried out. We have analysed the profiles of temperature and wind obtained by Wind Imaging Interferometer (WINDII) on the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) during the period of 24 December 1991 through 12 April 1994, and those parameters are measured in the altitude range 80–300 km. The changes of temperature and wind values over 234 earthquakes with magnitudes up to 6 have been examined, and all the measurements were taken within a radial zone of 600 km from an earthquake epicentre. The epoch superposition method and direct analysis of data from the satellite measurements have been applied for the calculations. Some changes of both temperature and wind at the moments of high seismic activity are noticed in the obtained results. Those changes of temperature near an earthquake are explained by the changes of viscosity and heat-conductivity coefficients during the passage of IGW (Internal gravity waves) which are generated at an earthquake.