LAUSR

Abstract A new method to calculate the seismic moment, based on electromagnetic radiation emitted during fracturing, is presented. Results of this method for small fractures arising during the nucleation stages of an earthquake are shown to agree with former laboratory seismic measuring technique. This method is quite easy to implement and can be used for measuring engineering failure intensity. It can also be used to measure the seismic moment at the nucleation stages of an earthquake when seismic devices (seismographs, seismometers) are not effective. These measurements can then be used to calibrate the seismic devices for the estimation of the seismic moment during the catastrophic stages of earthquakes, when these seismic devices are suitable and no electromagnetic radiation is present.