Earthquake light taken at Mt. Kinmyo in Japan in 1968
Mr.Kuribayashi/Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America
The Mexican resort of Acapulco has long been known for its stunning mountains, luxury hotels and crystal clear waters. But on September 7, 2021, something happened that no one wanted. A magnitude 7.0 earthquake shook the city’s sandy beaches and seaside skyscrapers.
In addition to swaying buildings and swaying trees, those caught in the quake witnessed something rather ominous. I was. This bizarre display was an example of what is known as an “earthquake light,” a semi-mythical phenomenon that has appeared in earthquake reports for centuries.
The idea that these blue flashes are caused by earthquakes is often dismissed by scientists. Indeed, after Acapulco, some suggested that the flashing lights could be coming from damaged power lines. I’m here. It is said that when a fault breaks, an electric current is generated. And whether these currents produce light or not, there should be a definite electromagnetic signal produced by them, detectable beforehand.
If they are correct, these signals could potentially be used as warnings of disaster. It’s not a big deal. The quest for ways to predict earthquakes has frustrated us for decades. But new evidence related to the lights dancing in these eerie skies is rocking the field.
Predicting large-scale tremors is now nearly impossible. scientists, including those of
