Radon changes in the ground are a precursor to earthquakes, according to research by Greek scientists

THE multiannual study of changes in soil radon concentration as a precursor to earthquakes is the subject of research by scientists from Greece and the USA, which focused on the Corinthian Gulf. In particular in the case of the Eastern Corinthian Gulf, a gradual increase in radon was observed in the period before earthquakesa sharp drop a few days before and then stabilize at a new level until the steady rise begins again.

The researchers, led by Dr. B.K. Karastathis, deputy director of the Geodynamic Institute of the National Observatory of Athens (EAA), made the relevant publication in the journal “Nature Reports”. Also participating in the research were Akis Tselentis, George Eleftheriou and Evangelos Mouzakiotis of the Geodynamic Institute of EAA, the geophysicists Minas Kafatos and Dimitar Uzunov from the Schmid College of Science and Technology of the University of Tsagmanos Physics of EKPA.

For the last five years, the National Observatory of Athens has maintained a network of c-radiometric stations, which are located deep in the ground, in various locations in Western Greece, the Ionian Islands, the Eastern Corinthian Gulf and Crete. The new scientific publication mainly includes the results concerning the seismic zone of the Eastern Corinthian Gulf.

Although radon changes have been suggested for decades as a precursor earthquakesthe mechanism governing the phenomenon has not been adequately explained, but also the fact that some areas are more sensitive to such changes than their neighbors.

The researchers suggest that changes in radon soil concentration follow a specific pattern, following the change in tectonic stress concentration in an area. The study largely explains, through a proposed model of deep hydrogeology, the privileged recording at geothermal sites, but also the correlation with the results of laboratory experiments.

Although from the earliest stages of the research there were clear indications of the existence of a characteristic pattern in the radon fluctuation before the earthquakes, the researchers preferred to confirm the existence of the phenomenon multiple times, so that there is high reliability in their observations for such an important research topic, which also directly concerns society. The geophysical observations were safely attributed to the tectonic processes, after thoroughly examining any possible influence of atmospheric parameters on the measurements.

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