Drivers Of Migration Research Articles

The Quest for Lifestyle: Reverse Family Migration among Hong Kong Returnee Parents

Existing analyses of lifestyle in migration studies have focused on individual, rather than family, aspirations, while studies of Chinese transnational migration have focused on instrumentalism, rather than the quality-of-life factors, driving family migration. Moreover, these two fields of study have tended to center on the privileges of relatively affluent migrants, largely overlooking important familial and economic dimensions for middle- and upper-middle-class migrants. Drawing on 38 in-depth interviews with returnee parents from Hong Kong who have migrated back to their previous places of residence in the West or have plans to do so, this article addresses these gaps by examining reverse family migration considerations. We identify the aspiration for a better quality of life for the family, rather than for the self, as the dominant driver of migration. We find that returnee parents’ main frames of reference for considering how and where to live were shaped by interactions between their children's education, economic factors, transnational mobility, and imaginary and emotional aspects of migration. Our analysis shows the value of engaging with lifestyle in efforts to understand reverse migration among Chinese families. More broadly, this article contributes to better understanding of migration motivation by drawing attention to family-centered lifestyle aspirations and the coexistence of privilege and precarity among relatively affluent middling migrants, areas that have been insufficiently explored in research on Chinese transnational migration and lifestyle migration.

Reconstructing Roots: Emotional Drivers of Migration and Identity

This study examines how emotions propel migration from the United States to Mexico and subsequent migration within Mexico for young deported migrants and migrants compelled to return. Though often relegated to a second tier of importance after political or economic factors, emotions are central to the decisions that young migrants make about where to live and how to identify. I argue that emotions influence young immigrants in the U.S. to make life changing decisions to return to Mexico at moments of acute stress or uncertainty. Additionally, I argue that both compelled and deported return migrants carve out spaces of belonging and construct identities through emotional labor. Specifically, I find that young returnees draw on memories from the U.S., connections with other returnees, and imagined attachments to their ancestral cultures in Mexico as they adopt proud Mexican identities in surroundings that often mark them as outsiders on both sides of the border.

Environmental outcomes of climate migration and local governance: an empirical study of Ontario

PurposeThis study aims to examine the impact of migration growth on environmental outcomes and local governance and assess how well the existing local municipal governance has responded to the environmental impact of increased migration influx in Ontario, Canada using the annual data during 2012–2021.Design/methodology/approachThis study used the grey relational analysis (GRA) to examine the correlation degree between migrant growth, environmental outcomes and local governance, used coupling coordination degree model (CCDM) to access to what extent the existing local governance systems have responded to the environmental impact of immigrant growth.FindingsResults show that higher immigrant populations are associated with worse environmental outcomes and the need for more municipal environmental investment and service. The present local municipal environmental service in Ontario lags behind in response to the environmental impacts of increased migration. Good local governance practices and environmental services are required to improve the environmental adaptation capacity of host countries to migrant influx.Originality/valueClimate change has been regarded as an important driver of internal and international human migration. The mass influxes of migrants will threaten cities’ environmental quality and put considerable pressure on municipal services. This study provides empirical evidence for Ontario’s municipal environmental governance and relevant authorities on how to deal with the environmental impact of increased migration and contributes to call the attention of other countries to the urban environmental pressure caused by migration influx due to the changing climate world wide.

Abstract PR014: Cytokine mediated epigenetic reprogramming of CRC primary tumors drives liver metastasis

Abstract An emerging hypothesis is that metastatic potential is determined largely by the combination of genetic alterations that initiate the primary tumor and subsequent transcriptional reprogramming through epigenetic mechanisms. Here we leverage integrative, multi-omic profiling of primary and metastatic colorectal cancer tumors in combination with functional screens and disease models to understand drivers of liver metastasis. Through performing bulk and single cell RNA-sequencing, whole exome sequencing, and H3K27Ac ChIP-seq of primary tumors and metastatic lesions in the liver, we identified dramatic enhancer remodeling in metastatic disease. In specific, we identified a region on chromosome 20 upstream of the signaling protein SIRPA containing 7 differentially active enhancers in metastatic disease. Not only do the enhancers show an in silico enrichment for TCF7 binding sites but we showed them in vitro to be reliant upon TCF7 through the use of a reporter system. To confirm the regulatory potential of TCF7 on SIRPA we performed CRISPRa mediated overexpression of TCF7. This resulted in significant increase in SIRPA levels. We then showed each gene to be functional drivers of metastasis and migration with in vitro and in vivo models. Through CRISPR mediated KO and CRISPRa mediated overexpression, we showed both genes to be necessary and sufficient for migration in a wound healing assay and invasion in a transwell assay. When the lines were transplanted orthotopically to the cecum, we saw a reduction in metastatic burden in the liver with the loss of either gene. To identify liver microenvironmental factors that lead to the upregulation of TCF7 and subsequent activity of SIRPA we assayed conditioned media derived from immortalized hepatocytes. Through the use of a cytokine array, we have shown the hepatocyte produced CCL2 is able to induce TCF7 and subsequently SIRPA in a panel of CRC cell lines and organoids. Importantly we showed the continued production of CCL2 is important for the survival of the cancer cell in the liver microenvironment through both genetic and drug intervention experiments. Together this data indicates an important signaling node in colorectal cancer metastasis to the liver. Here we propose a model in which secreted liver factors, such as CCL2, reprogram genes within the tumor cell to promote growth and survival of the liver. These genes, SIRPA, and TCF7, represent potential therapeutic targets. Targeting these proteins may kill existing metastatic lesions as well as block new metastases from forming which will be important in improving the outcomes of patients with oligometastatic and premetastatic disease. Citation Format: Jonathan Rennhack, Arika Dwivedi, Nathan Wu, Brian Shim, Alba Font-Tello, Nikolas Kesten, Andrew Aguirre, Henry Long, Kimmie Ng, William C. Hahn. Cytokine mediated epigenetic reprogramming of CRC primary tumors drives liver metastasis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Cancer Metastasis; 2022 Nov 14-17; Portland, OR. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;83(2 Suppl_2):Abstract nr PR014.

Contextualising environmental and climate change migration in Uganda

ABSTRACT The complex linkage between environment, climate change and migration is increasingly capturing global debate. Uganda faces widespread environmental degradation and high vulnerability to climate change impacts that cause livelihood hardships, inducing human mobility. However, the environment, climate change and migration nexus is not well understood and documented, although advocacy to address the livelihood challenges associated with environmental and climate-induced migrations is on the rise. This paper addresses this knowledge gap and presents findings from a review of literature, complemented by key informant interviews and group discussions conducted in the Karamoja, Mt. Elgon and Teso sub-regions of Uganda. The findings show that some socio-economic hardships that cause migrations like natural resources scarcities (water, pastures and fertile soils), hunger and food insecurity and conflicts are linked to slow-onset processes/events related to environmental degradation, rising temperatures and desertification, compounded by sudden-onset events/disasters including; drought, rainstorms, flooding and landslides, that threaten livelihood security and trigger voluntary and forced migrations. Migration also occurs as a coping strategy to environment and climate shocks and stresses. However, empirical research evidence on the numbers of people who have migrated because of environmental change or climate change is still lacking as more research focus has been on the socio-economic and political drivers of migration. Deeper empirical research that incorporates spatial analyses on how the environmental and climate parameters induce migrations is necessary to provide an evidence base to inform transformative policy processes and actions that address human mobility challenges and build resilient societies in Uganda.

Shorter estuarine dunes and upstream migration due to intratidal variations in stratification

Estuarine dunes are large-scale subaqueous rhythmic bed patterns, and differ from river dunes and marine sand waves in that they exist in environments characterized by several estuarine-specific processes. One of these processes is the tidally varying salinity stratification, with stratified conditions inhibiting vertical mixing. This causes an asymmetry between ebb and flood tide, leading to the strain-induced circulation. Here, we show through a morphodynamic linear stability model that reduced turbulent mixing in partially mixed environments leads to significantly shorter dunes compared to well-mixed environments. Furthermore, intratidal variations in stratification are a driver of upstream migration of dunes due to the tidal straining circulation. Our results constitute one explanation for differing dune wavelengths between two positions in the Elbe estuary. This study stresses the importance of (variations in) stratification for estuarine dunes, and hence improves our understanding of dune characteristics.

Scope of health worker migration governance and its impact on emigration intentions among skilled health workers in Nigeria.

The growing trends for skilled health worker (SHW) migration in Nigeria has led to increased concerns about achieving universal health coverage in the country. While a lot is known about drivers of SHW migration, including national/sub-national government's inability to address them, not enough is known about its governance. Underpinning good governance systems is a commitment to human rights norms, that is, principles that enshrine non-discrimination, participation, accountability, and transparency. Hence, this study was aimed at deriving a conceptual framework that captures the scope of SHW migration governance in Nigeria and the extent to which it is human rights based. To describe the scope of SHW migration governance, we conducted an exploratory factor analysis and mapped our findings to themes derived from a qualitative analysis. We also did a multivariate analysis, examining how governance items are related to migration intentions of SHWs. The scope of SHW migration governance in Nigeria can be described across three levels: Constitutional-where policies about the economy and the health workforce are made and often poorly implemented; Collective-which responds to the governance vacuum at the constitutional level by promoting SHW migration or trying to mitigate its impact; Operational-individual SHWs who navigate the tension between the right to health, their right to fair remuneration, living/working conditions, and free movement. Examining these levels revealed opportunities for collaboration through stronger commitment to human right norms. In recognising their role as rights holders and duty bearers at various levels, citizens, health advocates, health workers, community groups and policy makers can work collaboratively towards addressing factors related to SHW migration. Further evidence is needed on how human rights norms can play a visible role in Nigeria's governance system for SHW migration.

A Critical Examination of Rural Out-Migration Studies in Ethiopia: Considering Impacts on Agriculture in the Sending Communities

Labor migration is a complex phenomenon, yet while much attention has been paid to understanding the drivers of migration, there is a huge knowledge and policy gap regarding the effects of migration on people and communities left behind. We sought to explore the impacts of rural outmigration on migrant-sending communities in Ethiopia. This remains an understudied topic when it comes to research on migration in Ethiopia. Our investigation is based on a critical review of the migration literature pertaining to Ethiopia and, more broadly. We pursued a holistic analysis of the multidimensional aspects of migration. There are indications that rural outmigration impacts involve issues related to remittances, household food security, agricultural labor use, farmland management, and rural infrastructure development. Our analysis revealed that there had been few systematic studies and limited analyses regarding the impacts of outmigration on agriculture and the livelihoods of rural people and households left behind. Instead, Ethiopia’s migration literature largely deals with migration’s causes, including environmental factors, climate variability, agricultural pressures, livelihood stresses, and changing aspirations.

Intersections of climate change, migration, and health: experiences of first-generation migrants from Latin America to the Atlanta-metropolitan area

ABSTRACT Climate change is an important driver of migration, but little research exists on whether migrant communities in the U.S. identify climate change-related factors as reasons for migrating. In 2021, we conducted a multidisciplinary, collaborative project to better understand the nexus of climate change and immigrant health in the Atlanta area. This paper presents one arm of this collaboration that explored both the role of climate change in decisions to immigrate to Georgia and the ways that climate change intersects with other possible drivers of migration. First generation migrants from Latin America were recruited primarily through CPACS Cosmo Health Center and were invited to participate in an intake survey and an in-depth interview. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Findings suggest that while participants may not have explicitly identified climate change as a primary reason for migration, in both surveys and in-depth interviews, participants reported multiple and intersecting social, economic, political, and environmental factors that are directly or indirectly influenced by climate change and that are involved in their decisions to migrate. The narratives that emerged from in-depth interviews further contextualised survey data and elucidated the complex nexus of climate change, migration, and health.

Understanding the drivers of preferential migration of people living with HIV to fishing communities of Lake Victoria in Uganda

ABSTRACT Fishing communities around Lake Victoria have among the highest burdens of HIV globally. Growing evidence suggests that high HIV prevalence is partially due to selective migration of people living with HIV to fishing communities. However, the reasons for this preferential migration are unclear. We recruited 60 men and women for qualitative in-depth interviews (30% living with HIV; 70% recent migrants of unknown HIV status) from seven Ugandan fishing communities. Interviews discussed mobility histories and the social context surrounding migration. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and translated. A version of the ‘Push-Pull’ theory of migration helped structure a conceptual thematic framework for data analysis. Unfavourable conditions related primarily to stigma, social discrimination, humiliation, rejection or HIV labelling, and violence, induced individuals to leave their home communities. Factors which eventually resulted in migration to fishing communities included anticipating less HIV-related stigma and a safe, friendly environment that accommodates all people. Access to healthy food (fish) and the perceived availability of community-based HIV care services were also attractions. We found that stigma is the major social phenomenon shaping preferential migration to fishing communities in Uganda.

Conditions and factors of dynamic development of the towns and cities of Russia: empirical analysis

The present system of towns of Russia is of hierarchical structure: millionaire cities, big cities, cities, towns and small towns. The living standards and quality of life in the towns of different sizes have significant differences, the most critical of which are the accessibility of education, high healthcare technology and employment of the population. The study of the conditions and factors of the industrial development of the cities encourages making more efficient managerial decisions, which determines the topicality and the novelty of the work. The methodological basis of the study is presented by the author’s economic and statistics model where the resulting indicator is the volume of shipped products per capita in the city as the main criterion of the economic growth. The analyzed factor indicators include the volume of the investment in the main capital per capita, the average number of employees of organizations, income of local budget per capita, the proportion of illuminated parts of city streets. The method has been tested on the towns and cities of the Central Federal District within the period of 2001–2020. The empirical results obtained in the modelling process lead to the conclusion that the main factors of towns’ industrial development are the volume of the investment in the main capital (one per cent increase will facilitate the growth of the volume of shipped products by 0.5%) and the income into the local budget (one per cent increase will facilitate the growth of the volume of shipped products by 1.2%). Dynamic development of a town or a city is ensured by a system of interrelated conditions and factors as well as by favorable natural and geographical conditions: good climate and resource base determining the economic vector of the area. In case of lack of natural potential it is essential to create conditions for the implementation of social-oriented programs, modernization of the infrastructure, support of middle and small businesses, etc. Such conditions will ensure attractive climate for investment, which will act as a driver for migration of well qualified experts and further economic growth. Practical significance of the work lies in the possibility of use of the results by the researchers who deal with the issues of town and regional development as well as by the regional and municipal authorities.

Realization of Opportunities as a Driver of African Economic Migration to Europe

Realization of Opportunities as a Driver of African Economic Migration to Europe

The role of polyamines in the regenerative process of skin aerobic-purulent wounds

Aliphatic polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, spermine) are organic polycations that play an important role in wound healing by stimulating several cellular mechanisms. In a human skin wound sample, the activity of the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase, which regulates the rate of polyamine synthesis, rapidly increases along the wound edges and leads to the activation of the polyamine synthesis cascade. Under the influence of polyamines, some signaling systems are also activated in wounds, which are the main pathways for the release of cellular mechanisms, and thanks to them, the healing process begins in wounds. For example, spermine induces the synthesis of urokinase-type plasminogen activator, the binding of which to the corresponding receptor at the wound margins executes the urokinase-type plasminogen activator and its receptor signaling system, which is the main driver of keratinocyte migration. Eukaryotic cell proliferation depends on precise modification of the eukaryotic initiation factor 5A1, in which spermidine plays an indispensable role. However, in addition to the significant functions performed by polyamines in the human body, polyamines are also necessary for the normal growth and development of fungi and bacteria. Small amounts of some microorganisms have a positive effect on the healing of wounds, but their increase, on the contrary, leads to the impairment of the normal course of wound healing due to their enhanced synthesis of polyamines. On the other hand, many studies show that excess ornithine decarboxylase and polyamines increase the risk of skin cancer. Suppression of polyamine synthesis by pathogenic microflora during wound healing can contribute to both rapid healing and the prevention of skin cancer. In our study, we offer a way of inhibition of polyamine synthesis by wound microflora for rapid wound healing and prevention of subsequent cancer. The medicinal mixture “Armenicum/Eflornithine” is a mixture of the drug “Armenicum” and α-difluoromethylornithine.

Environmental drivers of human migration in Sub-Saharan Africa

Non-technical summary Environmental threats to shelter, livelihoods, and food security are often considered push factors for intra-African human migration. Research in this field is often fragmented into a myriad of case studies on specific subregions or events, thus preventing a more comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon. This paper examines environmental drivers reported in the literature as push factors for human displacement across 32 sub-Saharan African countries between 1990 and 2021. Extensive consultation of past studies and reports with analytical methods shows that environmental migration is complex and influenced by multiple direct and indirect factors. Non-environmental drivers compound the effects of environmental change. Technical summary Intra-African environmental migration is a bleak reality. Warming trends, aridification, and the intensification of extreme climate events, combined with underlying non-environmental drivers, may set millions of people on the move. Despite previous studies and meta-analyses on environmental migration within sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), conclusive empirical evidence of the relationship between environmental change and migration is still missing. Here we draw on 87 case studies published in the scholarly literature (from fields ranging from the environmental sciences to development economics and migration research) or documented by research databases, reports, and international disaster datasets to develop a meta-analysis investigating the relationship between environmental changes and migration across SSA. A combination of quantitative, Qualitative Comparative Analyses (QCA), and statistical correlation methods are used to analyze the metadata and investigate the complex web of environmental drivers of environmental migration in SSA while highlighting subregional differences in the predominant environmental forcing. We develop a new conceptual framework for investigating the cascading flow of interdependences among environmental change drivers of human displacement while reconstructing the main migration patterns across SSA. We also present new insights into the way non-environmental factors are exposing communities in SSA to high vulnerability and reduced resilience to environmental change. Social media summary Human displacement in sub-Saharan Africa is often associated with the effects of climate change and environmental degradation.

Altitudinal migration behavior patterns of birds on the eastern slope of Mt. Gongga, China

Many bird species in montane regions exhibit altitudinal migration behavior; however, altitudinal migration of birds is still understudied, especially in Asia. Mt. Gongga (7556 ​m) is the highest peak of the Hengduan Mountains in Southwest China. The steep elevation gradient and the high bird diversity make the eastern slope of Mt. Gongga (Hailuo Valley) an ideal place for studying the altitudinal migration behavior patterns of birds. We synchronously recorded the local bird diversity, temperature and humidity at two sites (1800 and 3000 ​m a.s.l.) during three migration seasons from September 2020 to June 2021 to identify birds exhibiting altitudinal migration behavior. During our surveys, we recorded 146 bird species in total and 20 passerine bird species were altitudinal migrants according to our altitudinal migration formula. Among those 20 altitudinal migrant species, eight bird species displayed a typical altitudinal migration pattern (upward migration during the breeding season and downward migration during the non-breeding season). Moreover, temperature was correlated with the daily number of individuals (DNI) at each study site. Therefore, increasing temperatures possibly caused upward migration of birds (DNI decreased at 1800 ​m and increased at 3000 ​m) and vice versa. To further elaborate, the Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher (Ficedula strophiata), the species with the most prominent altitudinal migration behavior, initiated upward migration at a temperature of 11–12 ​°C at 1800 ​m and initiated downward migration at a temperature of 12–13 ​°C at 3000 ​m. Besides, humidity was positively correlated with the DNI. Therefore, increasing humidity (equals to increasing rainfall or snow) possibly caused downward migration of birds (DNI increased) and vice versa. Furthermore, bird species exhibiting a typical altitudinal migration behavior pattern are feeding on insects. Thus, the spatial and temporal changes of the invertebrate biomass might be an important ecological driver for the altitudinal migration of invertivorous (birds eating invertebrates) birds. This study provides fundamental data for the altitudinal migration of birds in the Hengduan Mountains and shows how altitudinal migration is seasonally dynamic across an elevational gradient in a subtropical mountain region.

The invisibility of young people in family farming: a gender perspective in the semi-arid region of Ceará, Brazil

The evolution of family farming cannot be analyzed only from the perspective of production. Since it is also a kinship unit, the family farm reveals social tensions that contribute to the migration of young people, especially for young women. This study presents an analysis of the factors that contribute to this migratory process, considering youth and gender variables. The analysis is based on a participatory diagnosis, multisectoral interviews and surveys in thirty-three communities located in the center of the Ceará State (Northeastern Brazil). The research reveals that the main factor of this migratory process is the lack of appreciation of family farming by the qualified rural youth, who participate little in decision-making. When the analysis of the migration is gender-focused, the invisibility of young women productive and reproductive work stands out as the main driver of migration to urban areas and proves to be greater than for young men. Rural youth migration will shape the rural territory and will probably change the format of family farming. Understanding its factors may help to propose public policies more adapted for family farming.

Ključni čimbenici iseljavanja iz Hrvatske i ostanka u iseljeništvu prema percepciji iseljenika

Ključni čimbenici iseljavanja iz Hrvatske i ostanka u iseljeništvu prema percepciji iseljenika

Migration Attributes in Adaptation and Its Correlates during Pandemic: The Socio-ecological Interpretation

Migration is an integral part of social ecology as well as economic development. The four streams of internal migration are rural-rural, rural-urban, urban-rural, and urban-urban. Rural-urban migration has its inherent linkages to agricultural development. In recent years, COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the process of migration by humongous scale and magnitude. The study was conducted to examine the nature and extent of rural-urban migration, the role, performance and adaptation during migration of family vis-a-vis individual, the inter and intra-level interaction between two sets of variables, and lastly to generate a micro sociological policy based on the empirical research during 2020-21. Three urban and three rural areas of Birbhum district were selected purposively, depending on the prevalence of agricultural and non-agricultural activities. Three hundred respondents were identified through the snowball sampling method. The results show that variables like age, education, family size, income, expenditure, employment and management factor have the highest impact on migration. Also, both the pull and push factors are the main driver of migration.

Exploring the benefits and dis-benefits of climate migration as an adaptive strategy along the rural-peri-urban continuum in Namibia

The scale of climate migration across the Global South is expected to increase during this century. By 2050, millions of Africans are likely to consider, or be pushed into, migration because of climate hazards contributing to agricultural disruption, water and food scarcity, desertification, flooding, drought, coastal erosion, and heat waves. However, the migration-climate nexus is complex, as is the question of whether migration can be considered a climate change adaptation strategy across both the rural and urban space. Combining data from household surveys, key informant interviews, and secondary sources related to regional disaster, demographic, resource, and economic trends between 1990 and 2020 from north central and central dryland Namibia, we investigate (i) human migration flows and the influence of climate hazards on these flows and (ii) the benefits and dis-benefits of migration in supporting climate change adaptation, from the perspective of migrants (personal factors and intervening obstacles), areas of origin, and areas of destination. Our analysis suggests an increase in climate-related push factors that could be driving rural out-migration from the north central region to peri-urban settlements in the central region of the country. While push factors play a role in rural-urban migration, there are also several pull factors (many of which have been long-term drivers of urban migration) such as perceived higher wages, diversity of livelihoods, water, health and energy provisioning, remittances, better education opportunities, and the exchange of non-marketed products. Migration to peri-urban settlements can reduce some risks (e.g. loss of crops and income due to climate extremes) but amplify others (e.g. heat stress and insecure land tenure). Adaptation at both ends of the rural–urban continuum is supported by deeply embedded linkages in a model of circular rural–urban-rural migration and interdependencies. Results empirically inform current and future policy debates around climate mobilities in Namibia, with wider implications across Africa.Graphical abstract

Prevalence of Aseismic Slip Linking Fluid Injection to Natural and Anthropogenic Seismic Swarms

AbstractAnthropogenic fluid injections at depth induce seismicity which is generally organized as swarms, clustered in time and space, with moderate magnitudes. Earthquake swarms also occur in various geological contexts such as subduction zones, mountain ranges, volcanic, and geothermal areas. While some similarities between anthropogenic and natural swarms have already been observed, whether they are driven by the same mechanism, or by different factors, is still an open question. Fluid pressure diffusion or aseismic deformation processes are often proposed to explain observations of hypocenters migration during swarms, while recent models suggest that swarm seismicity is rather triggered by fluid‐induced aseismic fault slip. Here, using a global compilation of 22 natural and anthropogenic swarms, we observe that duration, migration velocity, and total moment scale similarly for all swarms. This supports a common driving process for both natural and induced swarms. The scaling relations are similar to those found for slow slip events. These observations highlight the prevalence of fluid‐induced aseismic slip as main driver of earthquakes migration during swarms. After quantifying aseismic slip released in the swarms, we propose an approach to estimate the seismic‐to‐total moment ratio, which we then compare to a theoretical estimation that depends on the migration velocity of the swarm and the effective stress drop. Our findings lead to a generic explanation of the process driving earthquake swarms that might open new possibilities to monitor seismic swarms.