Multiparameter Assessment of Pre‐Earthquake Atmospheric Signals

We apply interdisciplinary observations to study earthquake processes, their physics, and the phenomena that precede their energy release. Our approach is based on multisensor observations of short‐term pre‐earthquake phenomena preceding large earthquakes (M > 6). The integrated satellite and terrestrial framework is our method for validation and is based on a sensor web of several physical and environmental parameters (satellite thermal infrared radiation (STIR), electron concentration in the ionosphere, air temperature, and relative humidity measurements) that were associated with earthquakes. The scientific rationale for multidisciplinary analysis is founded on the concept lithosphere–atmosphere–ionosphere coupling. To check the predictive potential of pre‐earthquake signals we validate in retrospective and prospective modes. Our validation processes consist of two steps: (a) a retrospective analysis preformed over three different regions with high seismic activity (M 6.0 Napa of 2014, M 6.0 Taiwan of 2016, and M 7.0 Kumamoto, Japan of 2016); (b) testing of Molchan’s error diagram (MED) for STIR and differential total electron content anomalous events over Japan and Taiwan. Our findings suggest that: (a) pre‐earthquake signals (with 1–30 days time lag) follow a general temporal–spatial evolution pattern; (b) pre‐earthquake atmospheric anomalies can provide short‐term predictive information for the occurrence of major earthquakes in the tested regions.