Fractal Analysis of VLF Electric Field Changes Observed at Mathura in Relation to Moderate Shallow Earthquakes (M = 4.9–5.6, depth < 17 Km) Happened in India and Around

Abstract

Fractal analysis of VLF electric field data obtained by using vertical antenna located at Chaumuhan, Mathura station (Lat., 27.5° N, Long., 72.68° E) has been carried out using Higuchi method for investigating the impact of moderate shallow earthquakes (M = 4.9–5.6, depth 4.44–16.7 Km) that occurred during February 1, 2016 to October 31, 2016 (excluding April 2016) on the fractal dimension of VLF data. The results of the analysis show that daily values of fractal dimension vary much above and below the monthly mean during the period of observations, 1–30 days before and 1–30 days after the onset of the quakes considered in the present study. The ranges of reductions and enhancements in fractal dimension from the monthly mean are 0.05–0.33 and 0.054–0.43 respectively while the percentage ranges of reductions and enhancements in its daily variation are 3.0–23.21 and 2.81–19.88% respectively. The observed variations in fractal dimension have also been studied in the light of other expected sources like, magnetic storms, lightning activity, local building noises, and instrumental errors which may affect the fractal dimension of the VLF data. It is noticed that the observed variations of fractal dimensions do not correspond to these spurious sources considered. Further, model describing the genesis of VLF emissions in preparatory zones of the impending seismic events and their mechanism of transmission to the observing station have also been discussed.