Abstract:
On the base of the electron-hole theory stated by Freund
et al, this paper attempts to deduce and interpret the energy of the obvious lithosphere-atmosphere-ionosphere coupling observed on May 9, 2008, three days before the Wenchuan
MS8.0 earthquake. During the process, we set the largest horizontal principal stress and the earthquake plate area of the main fault. The simulation results show, during the period of the micro-cracks developing into the macro-cracks before the main rupture occurs, the total surface charge range of the main fault falls in 10
6—10
7 C and the related upward electric field, which is perpendicular to the interface between the Earth surface and the atmosphere, is 10
7—10
8 V/m. The corresponding parameters are up to 10
8 C and 10
9 V/m when the main rupture happens, and the output current is up to 10
5 A in order. On one hand, the electric field increasing in the interface between the Earth surface and the atmosphere, can cause electromagnetic parameter abnormities of the ground-based observation, with the range beyond 1000 km; on the other hand, it can accumulate air ionization above pre-earthquake zone, leading to ionospheric parameters short-time sudden changes recorded by some spatial seismic monitoring satellites.