Physics
Presenter(s): Andrew Papilion
Advisor(s): Dr. Dimitar Ouzounov
The purpose of this proposal is to provide follow-up research for a grant completed through Chapman’s CUE. CEESMO is a Chapman University research group studying different environmental anomalies to better prepare for future occurrences. The function of our equipment, in which we received a grant to relocate, is to measure gamma background radiation surfaced due to pre-seismic activity near major fault lines. Correlation between atmospheric and ionospheric activity has been demonstrated days and hours before major seismic events (M>6.0), showing that Radon surfaced from pre-earthquake activities reflect anomalies in atmospheric energy (due to the radioactivity of Radon’s daughter elements 214Pb and 214Bi). Along with the station that was relocated from San Francisco to Sacramento, we have sites in Palm Springs, and beneath the Hashinger Science Center at Chapman University. By moving our Northern California station to Sacramento, we achieve better coverage of California’s geodynamic activity through less interference near San Francisco, and a larger region covered. Although we also monitor pre-earthquake activities in our multi-dimensional model, it is important to recognize that we are analyzing geodynamic processes from a more complete geo perspective. Our study is based on a multi-disciplinary approach proposed by the Lithospheric-Atmospheric Ionosphere Coupling concept because it is widely recognized that our understanding of geophysical processes is improved by integration of studies from seismology, geochemistry, atmospheric science, and geology. The ability to detect pre-earthquake patterns days and hours before large events could have enormous environmental, economic, and societal impacts. Under the guidance of Dr. Dr. Dimitar Ouzounov, we have conducted research to change the widespread belief that earthquakes are unforecastable occurrences, and to instead confirm the more realistic hypothesis that earthquakes have a mechanism of action like many other natural phenomena; enabling a clearer detection process that will advance earth science and human safety.