Radon anomalies preceding earthquakes which occurred in the UK, in summer and autumn 2002.
During the course of an investigation into domestic radon levels in Northamptonshire, two hourly sampling real-time radon detectors were operated simultaneously in separate locations 2.25 km apart in Northampton, in the English East Midlands, for a 25-week period. This period of operation encompassed the period in September 2002 during which the Dudley earthquake (magnitude - 5.0) and smaller aftershocks occurred in the English West Midlands, UK. We report herein our observations regarding the occurrence of simultaneous short-period radon anomalies and their timing in relation to the Dudley, and other, earthquakes which occurred during the monitoring period. Analysis of the radon time-series reveals a short period when the two time-series displayed simultaneous in-phase short-term (6-9 h) radon anomalies prior to the main Dudley earthquake. Subsequent investigation revealed that a similar period occurred prior to another smaller but recorded earthquake in the English Channel.
Crockett
R G M
RG
School of Applied Sciences, University College Northampton, Boughton Green Road, Northampton, NN2 7AL, UK. robin.crockett@northhampton.ac.uk
Gillmore
G K
GK
Phillips
P S
PS
Denman
A R
AR
Groves-Kirkby
C J
CJ
D000388:Air / Q000032:analysis*; D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*; D004190:Disasters / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011886:Radon / Q000032:analysis*; D012621:Seasons; D013997:Time Factors; D006113:United Kingdom
D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive; D011886:Radon