Anomalies in the electric field and electric conductivity of the Earth's crust in relation to the Kultuk earthquake on Lake Baikal

摘要

We analyze the variations in the horizontal and vertical components of the Earth's electromagnetic field measured at nine points onshore along the southern part of Lake Baikal. It is found that variations with a period of a few tens of seconds have decayed 20 minutes before the earthquake. This is a regional effect. It is observed in the variations of the horizontal magnetic field. The intensity of the effect in the electric field is site-specific, which is due to the nonuniform distribution of electric conductivity in a medium, as revealed by the deep magnetotelluric sounding. The electric field also experiences a coseismic variation associated with the seismic wave. This effect is stronger pronounced in the vertical electric field. The bay-like anomalies that precede and accompany the Kultuk earthquake are revealed in the electric field of intraterrestrial origin and in the behavior of the electric tipper. These anomalies are concurrent with the rise of the ground water level in the borehole. The probable nature of the revealed anomalies is discussed.