Study Links Solar Heat to Earthquake Activity

A new study suggests that heat from the sun may influence earthquake activity on Earth. Researchers from Japan's University of Tsukuba and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology found that solar heat affects atmospheric temperature, which in turn influences rock properties and underground water movement, CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency

These changes can make rocks more brittle and alter pressure on tectonic plate boundaries, potentially playing a role in seismic activity, according to study author Matheus Henrique Junqueira Saldanha.

Using mathematical models, the team discovered that incorporating surface temperatures improved earthquake predictions, particularly for shallow quakes. "While not the main driver of earthquakes, these factors could help refine seismic forecasts," Saldanha said.