Are Earthquake Lights Real or Just Power Arcs?

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the phenomenon of earthquake lights, particularly in relation to recent seismic events along the west coast of the Americas, including a M 6.4 quake in Chile and a M 6.0 quake in Napa Valley, California. Participants debate the nature of these lights, with many attributing them to power line arcs rather than geological phenomena. The conversation references various scientific theories and articles, emphasizing the need for rigorous investigation into the causes of such lights. Overall, the consensus leans towards a more conventional explanation involving electrical faults rather than unexplained geological activity.

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  • Understanding of seismic event magnitudes (e.g., M 6.0, M 6.4)
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davenn
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hi gang

3 x M6+ events within 24 hrs down the west coast regions of the Americas
as recorded on my system here in Australia

attachment.php?attachmentid=72441&stc=1&d=1409005040.gif


firstly from top to bottom
a M 6.4, coastal central Chile
then the M 6.0, Napa Valley area California, USA
then a M 6.9, within the Andes Mountains of central Peru

The last one, altho the largest was relatively small in amplitude because of its
101 km depth - this results in a lack of significant surface waves

cheers
Dave
 

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  • 140823-24 UT M 6.4 Chile, 6.1 California, 5.4 SSI, 6.9 Peru zhi.gif
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The Napa quake just missed me by about 30 miles. No deaths, but several hundred injuries and lots of broken water and gas distribution pipes. Good local response by EMS, Fire, PD, and other emergency agencies. :smile:
 
wow Mike
that's a little too close for comfort

I haven't been up through the Napa Valley area since 2006

Dave
 
From 96.5 KOIT San Francisco news station. Now that's creative! :smile:
 

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  • Napa Earthquake Skateboard KOIT San Francisco.jpg
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indeed :)
making the best of a bad situation

D
 
Hi Dave!

Re: your graphs
1. Is the first one at ~2320 UTC on 24 August the one recorded off Valparaiso, Chile?
2. Did you receive and record anything on 17 August from Southwestern Iran?
3. Do you know of any theory connecting lunar tidal forces with earthquake activity?

Cheers, Bobbywhy
p.s. Congratulations! Love your real data!
 
hi Bobbywhy

1) a bit NNE of Valparaiso ~ 50km and inland from the coast ~ 10km or so

2) The M 6.2, Yes I did but pretty low amplitude

3) Yes, there's a few theories floating around. Some with good scientific grounding others fall into the woowoo science realm haha

my online real time seismo's

Thanks
Dave
 
Most likely just power line arcs. They can cascade for a pretty good light show in the right conditions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYCHBI66izs

This one was lightning induced.
 
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  • #10
nsaspook said:
Most likely just power line arcs. They can cascade for a pretty good light show in the right conditions...
.

Yup would have to agree with that comment

in that other link, the press report was pretty unscientific

Dave
 
  • #11
  • #12
I'm not saying the possibility of earthquake generated lights is a myth

I'm saying that with the way that was reported in that article without any scientific investigation
NSASPOOK's explanation is substantially more likely

Dave
 
  • #13
I don't think it's a myth but I think most are just power arcs instead of some strange type of geological Earth stress discharge.

Other earthquake lights type events.
Major substation fault.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIdjfDdYs9w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y196J86YrRU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMunTcLvSzE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBwXR_It9kw
 
  • #14
nsaspook said:
I don't think it's a myth but I think most are just power arcs instead of some strange type of geological Earth stress discharge.

Other earthquake lights type events.

Yup ... still agree with you
and none of those videos shows anything that couldn't be explained by arcing power lines ... transformer explosions etc caused by earthquakes or other electrical faults


cheers
Dave
 

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