Time series temperature anomalies for earthquake prediction using remote sensing techniques: A case study of five major earthquakes in pakistan’s history

Abstract

The earthquakes prediction based on LST anomalies remain a contradicting debate due to limited and short-term data around the earthquake’s epicenter. The results are varying in different case studies, only few research matches with pre seismic LST anomalies while many are not found to be significant for earthquakes predication. This study assessed temperature anomalies in different earthquakes events of Mw ≥ 6.0 in Pakistan from 2000 to 2020. The present study uses Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite thermal imagery data over the epicenter region to analyze thermal anomaly associated and earthquake prediction. The surface temperature growth before the earthquake event is estimated using the satellite thermal infrared images carrying valuable earthquake precursory information. The study area Pakistan is prone to active seismicity due to Northern Head-on Collision of Indian-and Eurasian plate; Southern Makran Subduction Zone of Indian and Arabian plate and the regional Chaman transform boundary. The results show pre seismic temperature variation range between 30 °C − 54 °C, which seems to be a good prospect for linking thermal anomalies to earthquake prediction.