Paper detail

Solar wind triggering of geomagnetic disturbances and strong (M>6.8) earthquakes during the November - December 2004 period

This paper brings space weather prediction close to earthquake (EQ) prediction research. The results of this paper support conclusions of previously presented statistical studies that solar activity influences the seismic activity, this influence is mediated through rapid geomagnetic disturbances and the geomagnetic disturbances are related with increases of solar wind speed. Our study concern an example of 40 days with direct response of a series of 7 strong-to-giant (M=6.8-9.3) EQs (including the Andaman-Sumatra EQ) to solar wind speed increases and subsequent geomagnetic fast disturbances. Our analysis for 10 M>6 EQs from November 23 to December 28, 2004 suggests a mean time response delay of EQs to fast geomagnetic disturbances of ~1.5 days. The two giant EQs during this period occurred after the two fastest geomagnetic variations, as revealed by the ratio of the daily Kp index variation over a day ΔKp/Δt (12 and 15, respectively). It suggests that the fast disturbance of the magnetosphere, as a result of the solar wind speed increase, is a key parameter in a related space weather-earthquake prediction research. The Solar-magnetosphere-lithosphere coupling and their possible special characteristics during the period examined needs further investigation, since it could provide significant information on the underlying physical relation processes of strong earthquakes.