OUTGOING TERRESTRIAL INFRARED RADIATION AS AN INDICATOR OF SEISMIC ACTIVITY

Abstract

An analysis of satellite IR surveys of the earth surface in the wavelength interval from 10.5 to 11.3 μm indicated that a temporally and laterally stable increase in the intensity of the outgoing IR radiation flux, compared with the adjoining blocks, occurs above certain linear structures of the Central Asian seismically active region. Retrospective analysis of a continuous series of outgoing IF flux measurements Asia in 1984 and 1980 indicated that the positive IR radiation anomalies recur sporadically in certain zones of certain large faults. In 1984, most crustal earthquakes that occurred in the zone of the Tamdy-Tokraus fault and had a magnitude 4 or greater resulted in positive IR anomalies at the intersection of this fault with the Talas-Fergana fault. The most striking example of such an activation is the Gazli earthquake of March 19, 1984.