Mysterious Light Associated with Earthquakes Now Linked to Geologic Rift Zones

scientificamerican.com ^ | January 3, 2014 | Alexandra Witze

[BenLurkin]

The study, published in the January/February issue of Seismological Research Letters pulls together several strands of research to propose a mechanism by which earthquake lights form. The authors suggest that, during an earthquake, the stress of rocks grinding against each other generates electric charges, which travel upwards along the nearly vertical geological faults that are common in rift zones. When the charges reach Earth's surface and interact with the atmosphere, they create a glow.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks BenLurkin.

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[JRios1968]