Seismo-ionospheric anomalies of the GPS-TEC appear before the 12 May 2008 magnitude 8.0 Wenchuan Earthquake

Abstract

In this paper, the total electron content (TEC) of Global Ionosphere Maps (GIMs) is normalized and employed to study the seismo-ionospheric anomalies at the time of the 12 May 2008 M 8.0 Wenchuan Earthquake. The space weather conditions are taken into account. It is found that remarkable reductions appear locally around the epicentre and their conjugate points during the daytime of 29 April and 6–10 May 2008. A global study and a strict criterion are applied to detect anomalies. Results show that the anomalies on 29 April and 6 and 7 May 2008, which are respectively days 13, 6 and 5 before, are possibly related to the earthquake. The conjugate signature implies the seismo-generated electric field is essential.