On the Atmospheric Origin of Earthquake Lights:A Mechanism Driven by Seismic S-Waves and Cloud Interaction

Earthquake Lights (EQLs) has been witnessed since ancient times. The search for an explanation for this phenomenon, which appears only during certain strong seismic events, has intensified in the recent decades. While several hypotheses exist, none have conclusively explained EQLs, largely because of the unpredictable nature of earthquakes. A prominent hypothesis suggests that air oscillations disturb the ionosphere. In recent years, the proliferation of surveillance cameras and mobile phones has led to a significant increase in the number of videos and photos of EQLs shared on social media and websites. This ubiquitous surveillance system now functions as a permanent, open-air laboratory. This study aimed to identify the appropriate explanation for the EQL phenomenon. By analyzing data from all collected videos and correlating them with seismograms from the corresponding earthquakes, we determined the necessary conditions for EQL occurrence. We concluded that two conditions must be met simultaneously: the presence of clouds and an earthquake magnitude greater than Mw = 4.0. Clouds act similarly to their role in thunderstorm lightning, whereas the magnitude of an earthquake is directly related to the amplitude and frequency of seismic S-waves.