Possible Seismo Ionospheric Anomalies before the 2016 Mw 7.6 Chile Earthquake from GPS TEC, GIM TEC and Swarm Satellites

Zahid Ur Rahman

doi:10.47264/idea.nasij/1.1.2

Authors

Zahid Ur Rahman Department of Computer Science, Comsats University, Islamabad, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47264/idea.nasij/1.1.2

Keywords:

Mw 7.6, GPS TEC, Swarm Three Satellites, Ionosphere, Geomagnetic Storm

Abstract

The recent advances in space based ionospheric measurements can help to investigate seismic precursors before earthquake with multi-parameter observations and more dedicated instrumentations. In this paper, seismo ionospheric anomalies before the December 25, 2016, Mw 7.6, Chile earthquake are investigated in Total Electron Content (TEC) and Global Ionosphere Map (GIM). The temporal TEC from GPS stations and GIM show enhancement during 5- 10 days (local daytime) before main shock. Similarly, spatial TEC confirms abnormal dense cloud at LT=12h-14h on December 21, 2016, that lingers over the epicenter of Chile earthquake. On the other hand, the geomagnetic indices show Dst < -50nT of low intensity variation. Similarly, Kp > 3 on December 21, 2016 within 5-10 days before the Mw 7.6. This study emphasizes that the ionosphere anomalies may not be the possible association of earthquakes induced variation but it is due to the active storm conditions (Kp>3).

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