Ionospheric density variations recorded before the 2010 Mw 8.8 earthquake in Chile

0368908 - ÚFA 2012 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Píša, David - Parrot, M. - Santolík, Ondřej
Ionospheric density variations recorded before the 2010 Mw 8.8 earthquake in Chile.
Journal of Geophysical Research. Roč. 116, - (2011), A08309/1-A08309/8. ISSN 0148-0227
R&D Projects: GA MŠMT ME09107
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z30420517
Keywords : DEMETER satellite * pre-seismic activity * Offshore Bio-bio earthquake
Subject RIV: BL - Plasma and Gas Discharge Physics
Impact factor: 3.021, year: 2011
http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2011/2011JA016611.shtml

The paper presents a study of plasma density variations observed by the DEMETER spacecraft in the vicinity of a very powerful earthquake in Chile. This earthquake of moment magnitude 8.8 occurred on 27 February 2010 with an epicenter located at 35.85°S, 72.72°W. Data recorded 10–20 days before the main shock along orbits close to the future epicenter show increasing plasma densities. A statistical analysis with DEMETER data has been performed using the first 3 months of the years 2007–2010 to monitor density variations in the vicinity of the epicenter at the same local time and seasonal conditions. This analysis shows that a large increase of the plasma density is very uncommon at this location and at this time and that the increases observed during the days before the main shock could be considered as possible short-term precursors of this powerful earthquake.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0203117