ULF Pulsations, Air Conductivity Changes, and Infrared (IR) Radiation Signatures Observed Prior to the 2008 Alum Rock (California) M5.4 Earthquake

A collaboration between QuakeFinder (Palo Alto) and NASA JPL utilized both ground and space instruments to observe a series of electromagnetic (EM) signals detected up to 2 weeks prior to the Oct 30, 2007 Alum Rock, California, M5.4 earthquake. These signals included Ultra Low Frequency (ULF: 0.01 to 12 Hz) pulsations that were detected with a 3 axis induction magnetometer located 2 km from the epicenter. The 1- 12 sec wide pulsations were 10-50 times more intense than 2 year normal background noise levels, and the pulsations occurred 10-30 times more frequently in the 2 weeks prior to the quake than the average pulse count for the 1.8 years prior. The air conductivity sensor at the same site saturated for much of the evening prior to the quake. The conductivity levels were compared to the previous year's average conductivity patterns at the site, and determined not to be caused by moisture contamination. The GOES-West weather satellite typically observes the west coast of California, and during October of 2007, detected an area almost 100km around the quake that changed the usual night time cooling rate (a 4 year average negative temperature slope) to a positive slope during the night time for much of the 2 weeks prior to the quake. These EM signals were then compared against predictions based on several earthquake theories postulated during recent years.