Impact of Post-Earthquake Seismic Waves on the Terrestrial Environment

When an earthquake occurs, it is not only the crustal material in the seismic zone that moves violently; the seismic waves of the earthquake with certain level of energy can act on the crust over large areas, producing remote effects that affect the living environment. According to the records of the long-term observation station of Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling, the effects of near-surface crust caused by the post-earthquake seismic waves include the following four aspects: (1) the pore fissure loosening; (2) the pore pressure rising and groundwater upwelling; (3) gas releasing; and (4) exothermic reaction. The effects of groundwater upwelling, gas releasing and exothermic reaction may be superimposed on the process of global warming, which has a certain impact on the terrestrial environment and requires further studies.