Introduction to seismic lights

by Massimo Silvestri max.silve@libero.it
Bologna, September 1999

Readers may ask why a theme like this should be included in a site dedicated to the study of UFO phenomena, or why some ufologists have recently taken a deep interest in scientific disciplines that regard real phenomena which occur however only very rarely, such as seismic lights, globe lightning, St Elmo's fire, air glow or other 'luminous atmospheric effects'.
These are all phenomena far removed from what at first sight, and also according to 'common sense', would seem to be the specific sphere of interest that regards UFOs.
The rationale, we feel, lies in the growing awareness that a number of the as-yet unexplained cases of UFO sightings (excluding, naturally, all those cases in which the insufficiency makes identification impossible) can find a valid and definitive explanation in these rare and unusual 'natural' phenomena, that are understood only partially and on which the scientific community is attempting to shed light.
We believe that this is a correct way to attempt a scientific approach to the thousands of reports from all over the world concerning the observation of anomalous aerial phenomena.

Abstract
The aim of the paper is to present and describe a particular geophysical phenomenon that sometimes occurs in coincidence with earthquakes, that of seismic lights.
Noted since ancient times as a precursory sign of an earthquake, over the last two centuries the subject of seismic lights has aroused great controversy between those considering them to be real lights and directly linked to the earthquake, and those instead believing them to be fantasies imagined by the terrified victims of the earthquake.
Only in the last thirty years, after the emergence of concrete evidence such as the photos taken during the earthquakes registered at Matsushiro in Japan between 1965 and 1967, has the scientific community started to conduct studies (on which this paper is based) in an attempt to understand this rare natural phenomenon. The intention of the article is to introduce readers to the existence of this interesting geophysical phenomenon, reviewing and analysing the various optical phenomena observed, like lightning, flashes, light rays, luminous mist and whirlpools of light, terminating with incredible luminescent globes that in both appearance and behaviour recall globe lightning.
A selection of past and recent cases reported in Europe, Asia and the Americas will be presented. An attempt will be made to take stock of the current position of research, presenting a panorama of the various theories proposed to clarify this enigma. In addition an account will be given of the analyses made at the beginning of the 20th century by Ignazio Galli, the first person in Italy to study these strange phenomena, leading him to publish in 1910 one of the earliest catalogues, listing 148 cases of earthquakes in which various types of light phenomena had been noted.

© Copyright CISU (1999)
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For the Photographs:
© Copyright Steinbrugge Collection, Earthquake Engineering Research Center, University of California, Berkeley.