Frictional Discharge from Sheared Asperities: Implication for Fractal Seismo-electromagnetic Radiation

Abstract

To clarify the fractal natures of electromagnetic radiations prior to earthquakes, we conducted a friction experiment simulating the essential elements of the motion of an asperity on a fault plane, and observed the generation of photon emissions around frictional contacts due to the dielectric breakdown of ambient gases by frictional electrification. According to the fractal distribution of fault asperities, we show that the frictional discharge (plasma generation) at asperities on the fault plane can be one of origins of the fractal seismo-electromagnetic radiation prior to earthquakes.