Earthquake lights and the stress-activation of positive hole charge carriers in rocks
Physics and Chemistry of the Earth
By: F. St-Laurent, J.S. Derr, and F.T. Freund
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Abstract
Earthquake-related luminous phenomena (also known as earthquake lights) may arise from (1) the stress-activation of positive hole (p-hole) charge carriers in igneous rocks and (2) the accumulation of high charge carrier concentrations at asperities in the crust where the stress rates increase very rapidly as an earthquake approaches. It is proposed that, when a critical charge carrier concentration is reached, the p-holes form a degenerated solid state plasma that can break out of the confined rock volume and propagate as a rapidly expanding charge cloud. Upon reaching the surface the charge cloud causes dielectric breakdown at the air-rock interface, i.e. corona discharges, accompanied by the emission of light and high frequency electromagnetic radiation. ?? 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Suggested Citation
St-Laurent, F., Derr, J., Freund, F., 2006, Earthquake lights and the stress-activation of positive hole charge carriers in rocks: Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, v. 31, no. 4-9, p. 305-312, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pce.2006.02.003.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Earthquake lights and the stress-activation of positive hole charge carriers in rocks |
| Series title | Physics and Chemistry of the Earth |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.pce.2006.02.003 |
| Volume | 31 |
| Issue | 4-9 |
| Year Published | 2006 |
| Language | English |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Physics and Chemistry of the Earth |
| First page | 305 |
| Last page | 312 |