PALO ALTO, CA--(Marketwire - May 12, 2010) - Immediately following the strike of a 6.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Tacna, Peru on Wed., May 5, QuakeFinder scientists in Palo Alto, California are gathering valuable clues that could support their research efforts. QuakeFinder, a humanitarian R&D organization, is methodically developing and expanding an international network of electromagnetic sensors collecting data to gain insight into what happens in the earth's crust during the weeks to days leading to a seismic event.
Previously, QuakeFinder discovered a strange series of magnetic pulses starting two weeks prior to the 2007 Alum Rock, Ca. M5.4 earthquake. That sample was analyzed and published in a science journal (NHESS). They have been seeking other examples of these pre-earthquake signals, and now they have it with the new earthquake at Tacna. QuakeFinder's rapidly expanding network has over 60 working sites in California and a growing roster of international collaborations. One such joint venture with the Catholic University in Lima Peru (PUCP) resulted in the installation of two ultra low frequency (ULF) magnetometer instruments in areas where Peru scientists were concerned that a large earthquake might occur in the next few years. One of these sites near Tacna is within 25km from the May 5 earthquake. The plan to collect ULF magnetic "pulses" that had been detected near strike-slip earthquakes (where the fracture is lateral) in the U.S. was also designed to determine whether the same phenomenon occurred near subduction earthquakes (where one tectonic plate slides under another). Data from this earthquake demonstrated both ULF magnetic pulses and increases in the air conductivity within 20-30km of the epicenter are useful in determining the location, time and magnitude of the earthquake. "This data continues to support our hypothesis that there may be a sequence of electromagnetic signals that occur around two weeks prior to large earthquakes," says Tom Bleier, head of QuakeFinder, "and this research holds life-saving significance."
In order to confirm any findings, there needs to be an increase in the density of the network of sensors to allow the capture and analysis of more earthquake events in order to determine if the patterns are repeatable. In an innovative approach to the expansion of the network, QuakeFinder invites private individuals, businesses and governments to sponsor or host sites. Anyone interested in becoming a host or sponsor can simply go to the website www.quakefinder.com to learn more about the research.
About QuakeFinder
QuakeFinder, the Humanitarian R&D division of Stellar Solutions, is located in Palo Alto, CA, and conducts pioneering research in the area of earthquake forecasting with the ultimate aim to develop, within the next decade, a global earthquake warning system.
Contact Information:
CONTACT:
Tom Bleier
VP and Chief Technology Officer
QuakeFinder