Thermo e.m.f. phenomena in continuous electrically conducting bodies and prediction of earthquakes

Introduction. A series of investigations implemented at the Institute of Physics UL, concerned with thermoelectric phenomena in different metals and alloys [1], has revealed the following: deformations and tensions, as well as any structurally inhomogeneous zone, in continuous bodies in the presence of temperature gradients give rise to thermoelectric currents. Being closed on themselves, the thermoelectric currents can be measured by measuring the magnetic field generated by these currents around the body. It is known that seismic electric signals precede earthquakes [2]. Alike in seismically active regions, some change of the magnetic field has been registered in some cases prior to earthquakes. The report shows that the cause of these changes could be thermoelectric phenomena in the earth’s crust when it is deformed by tectonic tensions [1].