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Feature: Elena Karathanou
In the eastern Corinth region and beyond, the Geodynamic Institute has manufactured a series in many parts of special instruments in Russia that measure radon. It is a radioactive gas that enters the earth’s surface before a major earthquake occurs. In seismic areas there is rock pressure where small cracks develop. Radon is secreted through them, which is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas. The large amount of inhalation of this gas can have serious effects on human health.
Mr. Akis Tselentis, professor of seismology and director of the Institute of Geodynamics, talks to zougla.gr about what is happening in the Corinthian Gulf fault.
“In a seismic zone there is rock pressure and small cracks develop. “Through them, radon enters the surface, which we measure and combine with precursor seismic phenomena,” reveals Mr. Tselentis to zougla.gr.
“We have noticed that in Pylos and Zakynthos where we have installed these devices, every earthquake over 4 Richter gives us a relative anomaly. So we have placed such devices in the area of eastern Corinth, because at this time Corinth seems to be in a For example, now I am in the southern region, in the Nafpaktia area, where we do not stop all night due to small earthquakes. “
That is, since February until now we have registered more than 1,800 small earthquakes. “These earthquakes are not very noticeable, but they do exist.”
“In the eastern area of Corinth we have put both Loutraki and Pera Chora and we have seen some small changes,” says Mr. Tselentis and continues: “Of course, measuring radon is extremely difficult because it is not a simple thermometer. It is a process in a drilling with special electronics … it has a great sensitivity in time. That is, a rain can completely change our data, we have developed this type of algorithms and we incorporate this technology in the network of precursors in Geodynamics that also includes seismograph networks, water level measurements and temperature. Because we believe that an earthquake is accompanied by many precursors. So such a combined registry can give us useful information. “
“There is a village in Kefalonia where lung cancers have reached 95%. We put devices there and we saw that there is a lot of radon emission because there are some nearby cracks that bring the gas to the surface. So radon is a very dangerous gas ”Adds Mr. Tselentis.
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Animal behavior can be a harbinger of an earthquake
Even the behaviors of animals change shortly before a major earthquake strikes. Mr. Tselentis states that it has been observed that in areas where there is an earthquake, dogs previously barked loudly and unnecessarily while many cockroaches appear in the area, according to residents of many areas after the earthquake. For example, “in Elassona, the neighbors told us that before the earthquake they saw many cockroaches while the dogs were barking loudly,” says Mr. Tselentis, adding:
“This does not mean that we will have an earthquake tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or in a few days. The Corinthian has many dangerous faults, such as Xylokastro, Aigio, Alkyonides. That is why we have focused our attention there and we observe everything. And I think there are a big earthquake, I think we will locate it ”, to initially inform the competent bodies, Mr. Tselentis points out, noting that there is no need for people to panic.
How dangerous is radon to humans?
Mr. Tselentis explains to zougla.gr that the Japanese have special workshops that enter houses mainly on the ground floor or houses that have granite and measure the concentration of radon in the air.
As has been confirmed, radon, if inhaled for a long time, is more carcinogenic than smoke. In fact, it is forbidden to put natural granite in our kitchens. Because it is a great source of radon. “Also, basements collect amounts of radon and we have to ventilate them,” says Mr. Tselentis.
