RADON MEASUREMENT IN SEISMOLOGICAL RESEARCH

The measurement of radon contents in groundwater and soil gas are broadly used in seismological research in China. (1), In the study of earthquake precursors, variations of radon contents have been timely observed before earthquakes, but evidence of some cases without radon changes or some changes without earthquakes also exist. (2), The measurement results of radon content in epicentre area show that attenuation of radon contents, from epicentral area,are quite similar with that of isoseismic line after occurrence of earthquakes, so it will help to evaluate intensity. (3), In the study of fault activity, plane linear distribution of radon content anomalies can be used for determination of fault (or buried structure) strike; the uneven distribution of radon contents along fault strike can be used for study of active segment; the faulting activity can be studied by radon content changes with time in a certain segment; Some further studies on relation between radon content variation and earthquakes are also discussed.