A Stress Condition in Aquifer Rock for Detecting Anomalous Radon Decline Precursory to an Earthquake.

Recurrent groundwater radon anomalous declines were observed from well measurements in the Antung hot spring area (eastern Taiwan) prior to five of six earthquakes that occurred between 2003 and 2011 ( M range 5.0-6.8). The relationship between the detectability of radon anomalies and the first motions of P-waves was investigated. Based on the first motions of P-waves recorded near the investigated well, a precursory decrease in groundwater radon can be detected only when the first motion is compression. No precursory change in groundwater radon concentration was observed for the downward first motion of P-waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]