关键词: 卫星红外遥感, 地震预报, 姚安地震, 景泰地震, 兴海地震

Abstract: This paper is aimed at the relationship between satellite infrared anomaly and tectonic activities by analysis of anomaly images of 3 earthquake cases (M>6) occurred in 2000 in China. Yao'an earthquake (M_S6.5) occurred on January 15, 2000 in Yunnan Province, southwest China. The infrared anomaly of the earthquake began 20 days before the mainshock and disappeared after the event. It developed along the Honghe Fault, which is the most important fault near the epicenter. The brightness temperature along the fault is always higher than that away from the fault during the anomalous period. The anomaly of temperature difference along the fault and away from the fault exists not only when weather temperature increases but also when it falls down. It seems that the anomaly is more active along the fault than in the other area. Jingtai earthquake (M_L6.2) occurred on June 6,2000 in Gansu Province, northwest China. Satellite Infrared anomaly appeared in a peculiar geometrical pattern before the earthquake. The monthly average infrared brightness temperature increased abnormally along 3 NE-trending tectonics which intersect with the NW-trending faults. Near the epicenter, the infrared anomaly developed in "Z" configuration that seems to extend along conjugated structures. Xinghai earthquake (M_S6.6) took place on Sept. 12, 2000 in east Qinghai Province, northwest China. The epicenter is located near the NNW-trending Ngola Shan Fault. Before the earthquake, the monthly average infrared brightness temperature was different on both sides of the Ngola Shan Fault and its extension. It was higher than 10℃ on the eastern side, and less then 10℃ on the western side. From the above-mentioned 3 cases, the primary conclusions can be drawn as fellows: (1) The distribution of satellite infrared anomaly is closely related to geologic structures, especially active faults; (2) The earthquake epicenter is often located at the margin of relatively high infrared temperature anomaly area or its vicinity. Infrared anomaly develops asymmetrically, propagating from one side toward the epicenter. (3) The spatial and temporal distribution of infrared anomalies may vary in different areas. In the analysis of infrared anomaly information, therefore, it is necessary to take the tectonic conditions, geographical features and meteorological interferences into consideration.

Key words: satellite infrared remote sensing, earthquake prediction, Yao’an earthquake, Jingtai earthquake, Xinghai earthquake