Investigating the Mechanisms and Impacts of Earthquake Triggering

In the fields of geophysics and seismology, understanding the mechanisms that trigger earthquakes is crucial for predicting and minimizing their impacts. This area explores potential links between significant seismic activity and various influencing factors, including stress-transfer mechanisms and wider environmental and human-induced triggers, such as tidal forces, celestial positions, the Earth’s magnetic field, electromechanical fields, geospace weather, and human activities through engineering and industrial projects. Current research aims to address the knowledge gap in earthquake triggering by thoroughly examining internal and external influences on the seismic process. Despite progress, key questions remain about how these elements interact within Earth’s complex systems and their combined role in causing earthquakes.

Recent studies are starting to clarify some of these complexities. Findings show significant correlations, especially between tidal forces and increased seismic activity, as well as potential effects from geospace weather and volcanic activity. These results help create a clearer picture of earthquake triggers and suggest the possible roles of various forces and activities. However, while these studies are paving the way for further progress, a full integration of these factors to understand their combined impact on earthquake processes is still necessary.

This research topic aims to investigate the mechanisms and effects of earthquake triggering using a geosystemic approach. By offering multi-parameter observations and developing theories to clarify the potential influences of Earth-geosphere interactions on earthquake processes, the goal is to enhance our understanding of these complex interactions. Key questions include how various factors combine to influence seismic activity and how to develop predictive models that incorporate these different interactions. To gain more insights into earthquake triggers and their implications, we welcome articles covering, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Static Coulomb failure stress and Dynamic Triggering by surface seismic waves or fault creep
• Fault fluid effects and time–dependent stress transfer
• Impact of celestial and tidal forces on seismic activity
• Electromechanical fields and their influence on earthquake processes
• The role of Earth's magnetic field variations in triggering earthquakes
• The interaction between solar activities, geospace weather, and major seismic events
• Human activities such as engineering and their effects on seismicity, including groundwater loading and reservoir effects, induced seismicity from industrial activity

We invite the submission of a variety of manuscripts, including original research, reviews, and case studies that explore these critical themes.