Answer to Question #4734 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Is there a resulting pattern or variation on background radiation within an earthquake fault line, particularly if a seismic activity occurs?

An interesting question that could lead to much speculation. From a practical standpoint, the answer is that there is unlikely to be any discernable pattern or variation in background radiation along an earthquake fault line. Certainly it is unlikely that one could map a fault line by looking at variations in natural radiation levels. Having said this, one could conjure up a number of scenarios where there in fact would be a variation in background along a fault line. Suppose the fissure associated with an earthquake fault line (or a new one opened by an earthquake) was directly connected to a concentration of uranium ore below the surface. Then the radon produced by the decay of radium in the ore might result in elevated concentrations above the fissure. Such an effect has been noted around geothermal wells.

Ron Kathren, CHP
Professor Emeritus
Washington State University at Tri-Cities