Cosmic Rays Possibly Connect with Earthquakes on Earth [Study]

Earthquakes have always been considered purely a geological phenomenon and a result of the movement and friction between two tectonic plates underneath the Earth.

Since the time memorial, earthquakes have been a part of both ancient and modern history. Regardless, these tremors were behind in some of the world's most catastrophic and destructive events.

Since the advancement of seismic activity-detecting equipment and technology, scientists have not only studied and analyzed the nature of earthquakes but also attempted to accurately predict them, but to no avail. Unlike weather events, it has been evident in recent decades that long-term earthquake forecasting or predicting a new earthquake will occur in a particular area or region is challenging.

Now, a new study by scientists from Poland reveals that the answer in our quest for predicting quakes may not be found here on our planet but in the cosmos. The new research tells us that cosmic radiation is linked to earthquakes; an unprecedented connection proposed for the first time. The ambiguity in the connection is still debatable but the authors of the study said they have found strong evidence.

Unprecedented Link

In the study published in the Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics, its authors assert that cosmic radiation can affect the core of the planet as it also passes through our magnetic field, Newsweek reported.

Researchers involved in the study analyzed 50-year-old cosmic radiation data from the Neutron Monitor Database project and data collected since 2005 from the Pierre Auger Observatory.

What is Cosmic Radiation?

Cosmic radiation is a natural source of background radiation, which comes from outer space and consists of penetrating ionizing radiation. Specifically, the Sun and other stars in our universe constantly send a stream of cosmic radiation to Earth, according to the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Since they come outside any planetary atmosphere, cosmic rays comprise of high-energy particles that move through space almost at the speed of light, originating not only from our Sun but also outside our Solar System in the Milky Way galaxy and other distant galaxies, according to prevailing scientific literature.

Also called space radiation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said the galactic cosmic rays may include heavy or high-energy ions of elements where their electrons are stripped away as they travel across the galaxy.

Known Causes of Earthquakes

As mentioned earlier, the main causes of quakes are the movement of tectonic plates. Prior to the new study asserting the linkage between cosmic rays and earthquakes, scientists have pointed out that there is not one but multiple causes of earthquakes, all of them do not involve space matter or events.

In its fundamental sense, an earthquake occurs when there is a sudden slip on a fault, causing stress on its edge. When the said stress or pressure overcomes the tectonic friction, an earthquake occurs and releases energy in the form of seismic waves that travel through the planet's crust and leads to the shaking that we feel, the U.S. Geological Survey explained.