Study on the mechanism of atmospheric electric field anomalies before earthquakes

Negative abnormal changes of atmospheric electric field have been monitored many times before large earthquakes. However, its mechanism has not yet been clearly concluded. Based on the comparative analysis of the positive anomaly characteristics of atmospheric electric field before lightning and geoelectric field before earthquakes in earthquake areas, this paper concludes that the negative anomalies of atmospheric electric field before earthquakes are caused by the rise of the geoelectric potential in the ground in earthquake areas. Thus the areas with an abnormal rise of the geoelectric potential are potential earthquake areas. Based on the inference above, an earthquake early warning method under ideal conditions is proposed with station network layout of geoelectric field instruments in combination with the atmospheric electric field data monitored by Electric Field Mills (EFMs).