Detecting seismic IR anomalies in bi-angular advanced along-track scanning radiometer data

The paper has developed and proposed a synthesis analysis method based on the Robust Satellite data analysis Technique (RST) to detect seismic anomalies within the bi-angular Advanced Along-Track Scanning Radiometer (AATSR) gridded brightness temperature (BT) data based on spatial/temporal continuity analysis. The proposed methods has been applied to analyze Yushu(Qinghai, China) earthquake which occurred on 14th April 2010 and the Wenchuan earthquake occurred on 12th May 2008, and a full AATSR data-set has been analyzed. Combining with the tectonic explanation of spatial and temporal continuity of the abnormal phenomena, the analyzed results indicate that: the infrared radiation anomalies detected by the AATSR BT data with nadir view appear and enhance gradually along with the development and occurring of the earthquake, especially along the Ganzi - Yushu fault, Nu River fault and Jiali - Chayu fault; more infrared anomalies along the earthquake fault zone (Lancangjiang fault and Ning Karma Monastery-Deqin fault) are detected using the proposed synthesis analysis method, and the main structure activity (the Yingxiu-Beichuan fault) characteristics of the Wenchuan earthquake can be identified and extracted using the bi-angular AATSR nadir and forward brightness temperature data.