A lithosphere-atmosphere-ionosphere coupling model for ELF electromagnetic waves radiated from seismic sources and its possibility observed by the CSES

Over the last century, abnormal electromagnetic (EM) emissions associated with earthquake (EQ) activities have been widely reported and recorded by ground-based and satellite observations. The mechanism of extremely low-frequency (ELF) EM waves radiating from earthquakes has been gradually established. However, whether EM waves radiated from earthquakes can be detected by low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites remains controversial. In this paper, to address these concerns, a lithosphere-atmosphere-ionosphere model of ELF wave propagation is constructed. The features of the simulated EM field at LEO satellite altitudes radiated from earthquakes have been studied. The simulated EM field at the altitude of the China Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite (CSES) is compared with the sensitivity of electromagnetic (EM) sensors onboard the CSES. The results illustrate that an earthquake with a magnitude over 6.0 can be detected by the EM sensors of the CSES. However, this depends on the focal depth, seismogenic environment and ionospheric parameters.