Decrease of VLF transmitter signal and Chorus-whistler waves before l'Aquila earthquake occurrence

Abstract

Abstract. We investigate the VLF emissions observed by the Instrument Champ Electrique (ICE) experiment onboard the DEMETER micro-satellite. We analyze intensity level variation 10 days before and after the occurrence of l'Aquila earthquake (EQ). We found a clear decrease of the VLF received signal related to ionospheric whistler mode (mainly Chorus emission) and to signal transmitted by the DFY VLF station in Germany, few days (more than one week) before the earthquake. The VLF power spectral density decreases of more than two orders of magnitude until the EQ, and it recovers to normal levels just after the EQ occurrence. The geomagnetic activity is principally weak four days before EQ and increases again one day before l'Aquila seismic event. Our results are discussed in the frame of short- and long-terms earthquakes prediction focusing on the crucial role of the magnetic field of the Earth.