Low-Noise High-Sensitivity Observation of Electromagnetic Precursors of
Large Earthquakes in Japan
Abstract
Detection of precursors of earthquakes has long been a controversial
issue in regard to its possibility and realizability. Here we present
successful and stable observation of the electromagnetic precursors of
earthquakes in Japan using a specifically designed narrowband filter to
suppress noises for a radiowave at the very high frequency (VHF) range.
Electromagnetic precursors are observed consistently with our
high-sensitivity low-noise equipment as sudden rises and/or falls of
received radiowave power in a time scale of a few hours. The signals are
distinctive from other electromagnetic noises and observed typically
some hours to some days before large earthquakes. We have observed
numerous precursory signals of earthquakes for several years. Recently,
we obtained surprisingly clear precursory signals at two different
locations more than 200 km apart a day before the Fukushima offshore,
the Pacific side of Japan, M7.4 earthquake on March 16, 2022. We
identified carefully the signals as precursors of the earthquake by
comparing the signals in time with the meteorological, ionospheric,
geomagnetic field data. Observation of such radiowave precursors
contributes to the prediction of earthquakes as well as monitoring the
lithospheric stress and pre-seismic activity over a broad area of a few
hundred kilometers.