Mexico: What are earthquake lights? A senior researcher at NASA explains

Several parts of Mexico felt tremours after a powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.0 struck near Pacific resort city of Acapulco on Tuesday night. According to a report by Associated Press (AP), at least one person was killed in incident and several ors were reportedly injured. US Geological Survey, in a statement released on its website, said that recent shock occurred as a result of shallow thrust faulting on or near plate boundary between Cocos and North America plates. earthquake occurred approximately 60 km norast of Middle America trench where Cocos plate begins its descent into mantle beneath Mexico.

"In region of this earthquake, Cocos plate moves approximately norastward at a rate of 65 mm/yr," re statement of Geological Survey Department. While speaking to news agency, Guerrero state Governor Hector Astudillo confirmed death of one person during dely earthquake. He told that ill-fated person came under a falling post in town of Coyuca de Benitez near Acapulco. "We heard a loud noise from building, noise from windows, things fell inside house, power went out,” said Sergio Flores, an Acapulco resident reached by phone. "We heard leaking water, water went out of pool and you heard people screaming, very nervous people."

What are earthquake lights?

To understand concept of lightning before or during earthquake, scientists quote example of a powerful quake that struck Mexico in 2017.  According to scientists, spooky images of green and blue lights in sky popped up on social media soon after an earthquake of magnitude 8.1 hit several Mexican cities. 

Friedemann Freund, a senior researcher at NASA's Ames Research Center, in an interview with National Geographic, said lights can take many different shapes, forms, and colours before or during earthquake. According to Freund research, lights are caused by electric charges activated in certain s of rocks during seismic activity, "as if you switched on a battery in Earth's crust." scientist said some rocks like Basalt and gabbro have tiny defects in ir crystals that could release electrical charges into air. Though chances are rare, sometimes it appears before or during quakes, not as much afterwards, noted scientist.

Earthquake lights Mexico: Social media filled with videos of triboluminescence

Meanwhile, people took to social media to share horrific photographs and videos of earthquake. One of videos shared by a Twitter user shows flashes of electric shocks lighten whole sky that was produced when electrical arcing between power distribution lines come in contact while swinging. However, according to scientists, lights are caused by electric charges activated in certain s of rocks during seismic activity. While sharing his experience, Guerrero state Governor said he saw people fleeing hotels around bay and some running into parking decks to remove ir cars, fearing a collapse. "We were all worried about some change in sea, but so far authorities have not said anything about a tsunami alert,” he said.

Have a look at conditions of town after powerful quake:

Mexico earthquake: No Tsunami alert despite powerful tremor

According to  Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, re were no reasons to alert citizens for any possible Tsunami and ded threat of potential waves h alrey passed. Later, in a statement released by mayor of Acapulco, ela Roman, he said situation in city was now under control. However, he informed that city witnessed a power outage due to failure of 2-3 power grids. “re are nervous breakdowns; people are worried because re have been aftershocks,” she said, ding that re are “many gas leaks in many places” as well as some landslides and fallen walls.

According to US Geological Survey, several significant earthquakes have occurred along sourn coast of Mexico. In past 100 years, 17 earthquakes of magnitude more than 7 magnitudes or larger have occurred within 250 km of September 8 earthquake. "An M 7.0 earthquake occurred on May 11, 1962, in approximately same location as September 8, 2021 earthquake," re statement. 

(With inputs from AP)

(Image Credit: AP)