Some seismic phenomena, like earthquakes, can produce telluric lights due to the sudden release of gases in geological faults. These light emissions can be the result of rock friction or the generation of electromagnetic fields during the earthquake.
The telluric lights are strange, very brief luminous phenomena that sometimes appear before, during, or just after an earthquake. They take various forms: floating glowing orbs, diffuse colored glows, or flashes similar to lightning. Their colors often vary between white, blue, orange, and sometimes even red. They can last from a few seconds to several minutes, but most of the time they disappear as quickly as they appeared. Generally observed near the epicenter or along geological faults, these lights often appear close to the ground or in the nearby sky. Their light intensity varies greatly: sometimes weak like a small glow, sometimes bright enough to be seen from several kilometers away. Despite numerous sightings reported by witnesses, they remain rare and fleeting, difficult to predict or capture on camera.
These strange lights could be due to electrical phenomena generated by stress on rocks before or during an earthquake. Essentially, when pressurized rocks fracture, it can trigger the release of electrical charges due to a phenomenon called the piezoelectric effect. Some rocks, especially those containing quartz, respond to this pressure by releasing electrical charges that migrate to the surface of the ground. Up there, these charges create electric fields strong enough to ionize the surrounding air and produce visible light. Other researchers suggest that these lights could instead result from the rapid release of underground gases such as radon, which can ionize the air and create glowing lights near the ground. Alongside these hypotheses, there is also the possibility of powerful electromagnetic disturbances created by fault movements, which could generate conditions conducive to these intriguing lights. In truth, today, no single mechanism has unanimous support among specialists, and these lights remain partially a scientific mystery.
The accounts of terrestrial lights have existed since antiquity. Already in ancient Greece, some testimonies during seismic tremors describe the strange appearance of unusual glows. Much more recently, the Kobe earthquake in Japan in 1995 was marked by various visual reports of colored lights hovering above the ground and briefly illuminating the sky. But perhaps the most spectacular were those observed during the Peru earthquake in 2007, where many witnesses reported intense bright flashes just before and during the tremor. Even more recently, lights were noted during the great earthquake in L'Aquila, Italy in 2009, well documented enough to reignite research on the subject. These historical and recent observations show that these mysterious lights are far from isolated events, even though they remain difficult to grasp and study scientifically.
Telluric lights often appear in regions marked by active geological faults, where the terrain exhibits specific characteristics: crystalline rocks, quartz, granite, or basalts under intense tectonic pressure. These intense stresses cause unusual electrical phenomena when the rocks fracture or undergo significant deformation, thereby generating electrical charges that can create these famous lights. Ambient humidity and certain weather conditions also favor the appearance of the phenomenon: stormy weather, dense fog, or episodes of high humidity seem to help make these electric discharges visible. The proximity of underground watercourses or aquifers is also a good factor for the regular appearance of telluric lights. In short, strong mechanical stresses on certain special rocks, relatively moist soil, and high underground tensions significantly increase the likelihood of this strange luminous phenomenon manifesting.
Currently, scientists are still not 100% sure of the exact causes behind these terrestrial lights. Some strongly lean towards the theory of electric charges generated by rock stress, while others find this explanation insufficient and are exploring new avenues. As a result, there is still debate on the precise role of different types of rocks, electromagnetic fields, or even underground gases in the appearance of the phenomenon. Today, researchers hope to clarify these mysteries by studying areas regularly struck by earthquakes more closely and by using more modern sensors and satellite observations. The ultimate goal: to successfully use these unusual light signals as reliable indicators of imminent earthquakes.
According to a 2014 study, telluric lights most commonly appear in regions with complex geology, such as areas with active faults or volcanic environments.
These enigmatic lights, sometimes referred to as 'Earthquake Lights' in English, can take on various colors such as blue, purple, or even an orange hue, depending on local atmospheric and geological conditions.
Scientists believe that telluric lights could be caused by an accumulation of electric charges generated by intense pressure exerted on certain minerals found in the Earth's crust.
The appearance of telluric lights may precede the actual arrival of an earthquake by a few seconds to several days, which could potentially serve as an additional means of prediction or early warning in the future.
Indeed, many cultures have attributed these lights to supernatural or spiritual phenomena related to deities or omens. Today, even though these beliefs persist, the scientific community prefers to investigate this phenomenon through the rigorous lens of geophysics.
As of today, there is no conclusive scientific evidence supporting the use of telluric lights as a reliable tool for predicting earthquakes. However, their study could provide interesting insights to eventually refine certain early warning methods.
Generally, telluric lights do not seem to pose a direct danger to humans, although they may evoke a feeling of fear or misunderstanding in those who observe them.
No, these phenomena are not observed equally everywhere. Certain geological conditions, such as high tectonic pressure, the presence of specific rocks (notably quartz), and soils rich in certain minerals seem to promote these luminous manifestations.
Yes, there are a few recent photographic and video recordings, particularly during earthquakes in Mexico, Peru, and Japan. However, these documents remain rare because the phenomenon is sporadic, rapid, and often unexpected.
They can occur before, during, or even just after an earthquake. The testimonies vary according to the observed manifestations and the geological contexts specific to the location of the event.
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