Thermal IR satellite data application for earthquake research in Japan and China

Abstract

NOAA/AVHRR satellite thermal images indicated the presence of positive thermal anomalies that are associated with the large linear structures and fault systems of the Earth's crust. The relation between thermal anomalies and seismic activity was established for Middle Asia on the basis of a 7-year series of thermal images. In China the thermal anomaly has been located near Beijing, at the interface between the mountains and plain. The size of this anomaly is about 700 km in length and 50 km in width. The anomaly appeared about 6–24 days before and continued about a week after an earthquake. The anomaly was sensitive to crustal earthquakes with a magnitude more than 4.7 and for distance of up to 1000 km. The amplitude of this anomaly was about 3 °C. Thermal anomalies in Japan have more complex shape. The analysis of digital images for Japan shows the following: (a) the anomaly appears 7–10 days before shock; (b) the anomalies in Japan have small size; (c) probably, thermal anomaly is located in Kanto area and the magnitude of anomaly run up to 6 °C; (d) the tectonic position of anomalies is not clear now.