A new study suggests a correlation between solar activity and earthquake occurrence. Researchers propose that fluctuations in solar irradiance, particularly during periods of high sunspot activity, can alter rock properties and pressure on tectonic plates, thereby increasing the likelihood of seismic events.
The study, published in Chaos An Interdisciplinary Journal of Nonlinear Science, identifies a process involving the transfer of solar heat to the Earth's surface as a potential factor. According to experts from the University of Tsukuba and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology of Japan, temperature variations on the Earth's surface during peak solar activity could affect crustal stability. Incorporating solar activity predictions into Earth temperature models may improve earthquake forecasting.