WSEAS Transactions on Environment and Development
Print ISSN: 1790-507, E-ISSN: 2224-3496
Volume 19, 2023
Thermal Infrared Anomalies Associated with Recent Crustal Earthquakes in Gorj County in Romania
Authors: , , , ,
Abstract: Cumulative stress-energy in tectonic active regions associated with ongoing deformation (co-seismic stress) along the main active geologic faults manifests various earthquakes’ precursors. Macro-fracturing processes are preceded by micro-fracturing phenomena which amplify strain field, and geophysical fields’ disturbances like space-time anomalies of Earth’s fracto-emission signals (Thermal; Ionospheric; Electric Field; Acoustic; Radon in air, underground water, and soil; Neutron, etc.) registered months to days before the occurrence of earthquakes. Multispectral and multisensor time series satellite data and space-based geodetic (GPS and GNSS) measurements in synergy with ground-based geophysical/geochemical measurements bring a significant contribution to survey pre-earthquake signals in the tectonic active areas. This study aims to assess the role of seismo-induced thermal infrared (TIR) anomalies characterized by the ground-level air-AT and land surface temperature-LST changes as significant precursors of crustal moderate and strong earthquakes recorded in Gorj County, Oltenia region in Romania. North-West Targu Jiu area is an active tectonic area characterized by two strike-slip faults systems of North-West- South West and East-West orientation, where on 13 February 2023 was recorded a shallow strong earthquake of moment magnitude Mw= 5.2 and 17 km focal depth, followed by 14 February 2023 stronger earthquake of Mw = 5.7 and 6 km focal depth. Several months beyond have been recorded more than 1000 aftershocks of Mw ≤ 4.9. Based on MODIS Terra/Aqua and NOAA AVHRR time series data, some days to weeks before the seismic sequence has detected LST and AT anomalies.
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Keywords: seismic sequence, Land Surface Temperature, Air temperature, MODIS and NOAA AVHRR satellite data, Gorj County area, Romania
Pages: 873-880
DOI: 10.37394/232015.2023.19.83