Earth–ionosphere couplings, magnetic storms, seismic precursors and TLEs: Results and prospects of the [SQUID]2 system in the low-noise underground laboratory of Rustrel-Pays d’Apt.

Abstract High sensitivity combined with an ultra-low-noise environment [SQUID] 2 magnetometer (Superconducting QUantum Interference Device with Shielding QUalified for Ionosphere Detection) allows the observation of Earth–ionosphere couplings. Namely: – identification of a mesopause resonance mode excitable by P waves or by electric field as during the hour before the Sichuan earthquake (May 2008); – S and T breathing modes of the Earth during quiet magnetic and seismic periods; – worldwide signal integral of magnetic storms including polar contributions; – signals in time correlation with sprites (Transient Luminous Events). These results point to a worldwide network of at least a few stations of a similar type.