Magnetic effects due to earthquakes and underground explosions: a review

Abstract

The physical nature of quasi-static and transient anomalies in the geomagnetic field induced by underground explosions or earthquakes is reviewed. New theoretical results obtained recently and so far little known to general circles of geophysicists are presented. The physical nature of residual magnetic and electrotelluric fields at the explosion point are considered. The seismic waves from explosions or distant earthquakes are suggested to be used as a tool for the preliminary probing of the Earth's crust sensitivity to various seismo-electromagnetic effects. The use of magnetic induction effects for tsunami detection and for crust sounding is outlined. The nature of ULF magnetic impulses related with earthquakes is discussed.