Earthquake Lights: Phenomenon and Controversies

Earthquake lightsPhoto byJuairia Islam ShefaonUnsplash

Earthquake lights are a luminous optical phenomenon such as balls of light, streams of lights, sheet lightning, and steady glows that are frequently reported near earthquakes. Geophysicists have varied opinions on the causes and extent in which they believe earthquake lights appear.

Many people report unusual lights near and around the time of earthquake activities. Some scientists doubt they even exist. Others believe that at least some of the reports are accurate and possibly related to earthquakes.

There are several different hypotheses regarding the origin of earthquake lights or EQL as they are often referred as. Typically, the reports state that the lights were seen in the immediate vicinity of the fault during the earthquake.

Some reports are believed to be associate with electricity arcing during the earthquake thus causing lights to flash and appear as lightning. Sometimes, there is disruption to the electrical grids or power grid. This could also cause arcing lights during hazardous weather conditions or earthquakes.

Earthquake lights are often classified into two separate groups. Those that appear a few seconds to a few weeks prior to earthquakes; and those that appear near the epicenter of the earthquake. Earthquake lights during aftershocks appear to be rare.

Another theory, by Friedemann Freund, a collaborator and adjunct professor at San Jose University and also a former researcher at NASA Ames Research Center considers the impurities in rocks and crystals that are under stress like just prior to tectonic stress during an earthquake. As these rocks and crystals begin to break apart during the earthquake, they may emit light and generate electricity.

The rocks may work as an insulator when placed under stress become a semiconductor. Hundreds of thousands of rocks in the crust of the Earth are being put under pressure during an earthquake. This would make sense and readily explain the unusual light phenomenon.

At present, seismologists differ in opinions as to the exact cause of earthquake lights. More research is being conducted as scientists analyze reports and the unique phenomenon. Have you ever seen Earthquake Lights?

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