Thunderquakes Could Help Scientists See Beneath Earth's Surface

Thunderstorms generate seismic waves known as "thunderquakes," which provide scientists with a novel approach to studying the Earth's subsurface. These quakes occur when lightning strikes the ground, producing acoustic shock waves that extend below the surface. A recent study published in Science Advances reveals that thunderquakes can serve as valuable seismic imaging sources, particularly in regions lacking traditional seismic sources.

Tieyuan Zhu, a geosciences professor at Pennsylvania State University, explains that these quakes can be harnessed for seismic tomography, a technique used to assess various geohazards and study the Earth's interior. Unlike conventional seismic waves, which typically originate from earthquakes or human-made sources, thunderquakes arise from atmospheric influences like thunderstorms.

Researchers have discovered that thunderquakes can be detected using distributed acoustic sensing (DAS), a method involving fiber-optic cables. By analyzing the tiny strains induced along these cables during thunderquakes, scientists can gain high-resolution insights into subsurface conditions, even reaching depths of 300 feet. This new technique offers significant advantages, including the potential to study previously inaccessible areas with limited seismic data and the abundance of existing fiber-optic cables.

As climate change is expected to increase lightning activity, thunderquake imaging could become more accessible over time. Additionally, the study suggests that thunderquakes may hold applications beyond Earth, potentially aiding in the exploration of seismic activity on other planets and moons.