Generation of electric field in an earthquake preparation zone

Abstract

Different attempts have been made to explain the generation of the electric currents before an earthquake that take place in an earthquake preparation zone; in some of them the coseismic effects are also included. In this paper we discuss the possibility to construct a model of displacement current generation in an earthquake source zone which combines polarization processes and motion of charged dislocations. Such a process is associated with the transition from isotropic to stress-induced anisotropic properties in an earthquake source zone. Concurrently, we consider the conduction currents related to a high velocity motion of charged dislocations. Another approach related to an electrokinetic model of current generation is also briefly discussed.