[Tokai Univ.] > [Tokai Univ., IORD (in Japanese), Tokai Univ., School Marine Sci.&Technol.] > [Tokai Univ., EPRC] > [SEMS]

What is SEMS?

Japanese

Phenomena Prier to Earthquakes

Various physical/chemical phenomena have been reported to occur before earthquakes, e.g., anomaly in seismic, geodetic, geochemical, and electromagnetic parameters. In addition, macroscopic anomalies has been reported, e.g., luminous phenomena, rumbling, and anomalous behavior of animals.
SEMS is the abbreviated name of "Seismo-Electromagnetic Signals" and a generic name of electromagnetic phenomena related to earthquakes.

Electromagnetics Related to Earthquakes

Electromagnetic researches on earthquakes are active especially in Japan, Greece, Russia, China, and America. SEMS prior to earthquakes are classified into two:

Signals possibly emitted from earthquake sources:

  • SES (Seismic Electric Signals in DC range) of Greek VAN method
  • Geomagnetic/Geoelectric changes in ULF-ELF-VLF-LF-HF bands

Anomalous transmission of electromagnetic waves due possibly to disturbed ionosphere:

  • Transmission anomaly of OMEGA waves (VLF band)
  • Scattering FM radio waves (VHF band)

Electromagnetics Related to Earthquakes at EPRC

We have observed Earth currents, geomagnetic fields, electromagnetic radiations, and so in cooperation with some universities in Central Japan. The total number of the observatories that we have something to do is 12 in Japan (April 2009). The number of the observatories that we mainly treat with is 10 in Tokai-Kanto area in Central Japan (April 2009).

We plan to remove some observatories and to construct new observatories. New observatories at Nii Island and Kozu Island will obtain data without large noises from electrical trains.

Laboratory experiments have been conducted to clarify mechanisms of SEMS. The main factor to connect earthquakes and SEMS may be ground water. We, on the other hand, focus also on positive holes that Dr. Freund (NASA) has been proposed. Because this type of charge carriers does not need breakages of rock to be activated, it may be able to explain SEMS prior to breakages of the Earth crust, i.e., earthquakes.

Macroscopic Anomalies Related to Earthquakes

We consider also macroscopic anomalies as objects of scientific researches while these anomalies have not been inspected quantitatively. Examples of them are anomalous behavior of animals. Here, we have watched cat fish and hamsters under a certain controlled-condition.

The research facilities have been settled to Chiba University (website in Japanese).