Earth’s Crust Responds to Atmospheric Processes

For a long time, seismologists considered various hydrometeorological signals as annoying hindrances to their main studies. However, in some circumstances, seismic signals can be very useful for understanding hydrometeorological processes. Even more interesting is that the impact of such processes on the earth’s crust is quite noticeable. Nowadays a lot of evidences on the effects of intense atmospheric processes on the earth’s crust are accumulated. Such processes, actually, can also affect the seismic regime, i.e., the frequency and intensity of earthquakes. The article describes some modern research in two directions: registration and analysis of weak seismic signals as a source of information about atmospheric processes and the influence of intense atmospheric phenomena on seismic activity. In particular, a number of papers suggest the possibility of operational registration of such dangerous phenomena as tornadoes and squall winds by seismic analyzing techniques. Statistics shows that intense events such as tropical cyclones not only generate seismic signals, but can also significantly affect seismic activity.

seismic signals, atmospheric processes, tornadoes, thunderstorms, clouds, tropical cyclones, earthquakes