Hi there, I hope someone out there has an answer, I have heard different theories, but I'm not sure which one is correct.
I was in Peru when the Earthquake happened and I saw lighting, which I didn't know could happen during an earthquake.
2007-08-19 16:15:13 · 6 answers · asked by coolgirl 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
I would suspect it was a function of friction, just like when you slide your feet on the carpet and shock your cat or dog on the nose when they smell your hand, except instead of feet and carpet it's the two sides of the fault generating the static electricity. I do know (from first-hand experience with Mt Redoubt) that volcanic ash erupting from a volcano will generate a great deal of lightning from the friction of the ash particles.
Don't rule out coincidence either, though. There can be lightning a great distance from any storm clouds if conditions are right.
2007-08-19 16:28:28 · answer #1 · answered by Now and Then Comes a Thought 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is also evidence that quartz can trigger an electric discharge during an earthquake.
I found an example:
"The ground surface may also be slightly deformed. Earthquake lightning has been observed just prior to an earthquake, and is believed to be due to the development of an electrical charge on stressed quartz grains."
http://www.tnema.org/EP/Earthquake.htm
2007-08-19 16:24:33 · answer #2 · answered by bravozulu 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is some evidence that seismic activities are linked to the moon and the natural magneto sphere that surrounds our Earth. Anyway the change in the magnetic field can trigger lightning or at least increase the chances of lighting. Could be a freak coincidence as well. I'm not going to bother explaining the connection, because its very complex and I would probably run out of room to write.
Good luck, wish I could have been of more help to you.
2007-08-19 16:21:40 · answer #3 · answered by dudas_91 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Normally earthquake will not affect the weather before its arrival.It may be a coincidence.
2007-08-19 16:22:28 · answer #4 · answered by Arasan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Earth quake lightning is fairly common.
It is thought that the stress in the rock layers creates a voltage difference that can create a discharge.
Try here:
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v228/n5273/abs/228759a0.html
2007-08-19 16:32:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could there have been a thunder storm a few miles away that you saw.
2007-08-19 16:23:27 · answer #6 · answered by mike the dj 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋