30 mins before the 2008 Sichuan earthquake in China

Bizarre colorful (luminous/glowing) cloud phenomenon in the sky was observed about 30 mins before the May 12, 2008 Sichuan earthquake took place. This was recorded in Tianshui, Gansu province ~450km northeast of epicenter, by someone using a cell phone.
source: http://news.qq.com/a/20080513/004283.htm

See similar cloud formation captured 20 minutes later in a different city, ~200km east of this location: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzVamNQzfYA

A map of the locations with sightings of very similar phenomenon.
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/2453/ecjm1.jpg

More photos taken, reported 1 hr before the quake.:
http://shenyun.epochtimes.com/b5/8/5/14/n2116538.htm

These clouds seemed to be glowing or somewhat luminous and seemed to resemble some characteristics of the Auroras. I am not sure exactly what they were or whether they indeed had anything to do with the quake. I am no expert anyways. See if any scientists are willing to give a full explanation.

If such phenomenon can be proved for its connection with earthquake occurrences, maybe they could be used as warning signs and would be life saving. If not, just learn these clouds as yet another rare atmospheric phenomenon and no need to panic when seeing them.
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UPDATE:
After all, this might well be just a rare atmospheric phenomenon occurred by coincidence. Though, just wondering if there's any possibility the formation of such rare clouds be catalyzed by any event??

I guess some of you might find the following articles interesting.
http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/print/2367
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121124372394605609.html
http://environment.newscientist.com/article/mg19826514.600-curious-clou
For Chinese readers: (about the poem that predicting the quake)
四川強震／李白「壓箱詩」預言？　純屬網路謠言！
http://www.nownews.com/2008/05/21/162-2278152.htm

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• bizarre
• phenomenon
• sichuan
• earthquake
• glowing
• luminous
• clouds
• China
• 四川
• 汶川
• 大地震
• 甘肅
• 天水
• 地震雲
• 彩雲

[gurunade]

The music makes this video.

[HillDueceua]

@MrSofalumpkins caused by haarp

[bradisonn]

The lights are from alien spacecrafts. Alien spacecrafts have been sighted before "natural" disasters all throughout history. Its true!

[Raelven]

HAARP activity.

[Ipunch1st]

As far back as 373 BC people have claimed to see weird lights in the sky during earthquakes, and sometimes for minutes before the shaking actually starts

[timen1986]

so its unknown how these form?

[dalektaliban]

contrails of a giant nyan cat

[Jon0fAllTrades]

Hey commenters check out my video of the red blue green white light that was in our sky last night, the video isnt real good cause it was dusk, but so far no news story of what happened? any idea? no thunder..or explosion sounds

[bondhemibond]

those are HAARP clouds.

[TurkishHegemony]

I think someone found the 7 Dragonballs and is making a wish

[liilliann]

Those were alien ships.

[joemak13]

In America, we would all be shooting at it. And that is why we are Numbah 1