An electrochemical hypothesis of earthquakes exploring a theoretical link between radiated seismic energy and Pourbaix potential

Earthquakes are measured using well-defined seismic parameters such as seismic moment (), moment magnitude (), and released elastic energy (E). However, the mechanism by which this tremendous energy accumulates deep within the Earth’s crust remains unclear and is one of the most fundamental open questions in seismological research. We investigate a quantitative link between earthquake radiated energy and the generalized Pourbaix electrochemical potential. This analysis forms the basis of a theoretical electrochemical framework for assessing whether electrical processes may contribute to earthquake nucleation. An intriguing similarity has been found between the released energy in an earthquake and Pourbaix potential in a redox reaction at an oxide-aqueous interface. A mathematical equivalence is established to strengthen this connection. This provides new insights into the possible electrochemical mechanism underlying seismic processes. Hydrated smectite, a clay mineral with a distinctive layered structure, is a dominant source of electrochemical potential generation in the Earth’s crust. Observations of significant smectite abundance in various deep drilling projects indirectly support this assertion. The layered arrangement of these hydrated clay minerals enables the formation of multiple electrochemical cells, leading to substantial accumulation of electrochemical potential. This observation indicates the presence of electrical potential in the earthquake preparation zone, which may offer a more comprehensive explanation for earthquake lights, negative anomalies in atmospheric electric fields, ionospheric perturbations, and other associated phenomena observed before or during an earthquake.