The First Detection of an Earthquake From a Balloon Using Its Acoustic Signature.

Area of Science:

• Planetary Science
• Seismology
• Acoustics

Background:

• Venus's extreme surface conditions challenge ground-based seismology.
• Seismic waves can couple with the atmosphere, theoretically enabling remote detection.
• Earth-based validation of balloon-borne seismic detection is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the feasibility of detecting earthquakes from a balloon-borne platform.
• To analyze the relationship between seismic infrasound and earthquake source parameters.
• To assess the potential for Venusian seismology using atmospheric platforms.

Main Methods:

• Deployment of a balloon-borne microbarometer for seismic infrasound detection.
• Analysis of infrasound signals correlated with a 2019 earthquake near Ridgecrest, CA.
• Detailed study of seismo-acoustic phenomenology, including topography and atmospheric effects.

Main Results:

• First successful detection of an earthquake using a balloon-borne microbarometer.
• Demonstrated dependence of seismic infrasound on earthquake source parameters and local structure.
• Confirmed detectability of seismic activity from high-altitude platforms.

Conclusions:

• Balloon-borne seismic infrasound detection is a viable technique.
• Rayleigh wave-induced infrasound can constrain subsurface velocities.
• This approach paves the way for future seismological studies on Venus.