In recent weeks, California has experienced a significant rise in the power of the Schumann resonances, a low-frequency electromagnetic activity that is often a precursor to large earthquakes. Geophysicist and California native Stefan Burns has been monitoring these signals and believes that the state should be on high alert for a possible earthquake.
Burns has been studying the Schumann resonances in the Santa Cruz Mountains, which is located close to the San Andreas fault, one of the most active fault lines in the state. He has noticed that the power of the resonances has been steadily increasing over the past few weeks, which is not the typical pattern.
To back up his claims, Burns has pointed to studies conducted after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, which showed that there were strong magnetic field variations in the ultra-low frequency range in the weeks leading up to the quake. He also cited a recent study that found that 11 minutes before a 3.2 magnitude earthquake, there was an 11-minute sequence of mode 3 Schumann resonances activity just a few miles west of the epicentre.
Burns believes that these signals could be a sign of a larger earthquake about to hit NorCal, and he urges everyone to be prepared. He recommends having food and water, a hand crank radio, and other basic survival gear on hand, as well as having an earthquake readiness plan in place.
While Burns is not 100% certain that a large earthquake is imminent, he believes that the data is significant enough to warrant caution. He encourages everyone in California to be aware of the developments and to stay safe.