Possible association between anomalous geomagnetic variations and the Molise Earthquakes at Central Italy during 2002

The Molise region, on 31 October and 1 November 2002, was struck by two earthquakes of moderate magnitudes (Mw = 5.7) at depth between 12 and 24 km. Geomagnetic data from the Circum-pan Pacific Magnetometer Network (CPMN) were analyzed in order to detect any anomalous geomagnetic variations in association with the Molise earthquakes. Our results indicate the presence of long-term anomalous variations in the geomagnetic components at L’Aquila (LAQ) station (near the epicenter), which started about four months before the occurrence of the Molise earthquakes. Moreover, the geomagnetic components recorded at LAQ are found to show no correlation with those at other conjugate stations in the period between June and October 2002. In addition, anomalous ULF signal (Pc 3:10–45 s) started few weeks before the Molise earthquakes and lasted for about one week after the onset of the seismic activity. The observed anomalous variations may be explained as a result of the crustal stress variations and the enhancement of the lithospheric conductivity in the Molise region during the preparation period of the Molise earthquakes.