10 mins before the 2008 Sichuan earthquake in China

Bizarre glowing cloud phenomenon in the sky was observed about 10 mins before the May 12, 2008 Sichuan earthquake took place. This was recorded in Meixian, Shaanxi province ~550km northeast of epicenter. The phenomenon was said to last for about 1 min.
source: http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_cb00XMjczNTczNDA=.html

A map showing two locations where such clouds were sighted relative to Sichuan earthquake epicenters: http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/2453/ecjm1.jpg

See similar clouds appeared ~200km west of this location:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKMTSDzU1Z4

More photos (reported taken 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
• clouds
• China
• 四川
• 汶川
• 大地震
• 陝西
• 眉縣
• 地震雲
• 彩雲

[mra23413]

If this was the first time I've ever seen part of a rainbow in a cloud I might be a little worried, but it's not

[LazyJones1]

@DriftXperience27

HAARP is a research project in Alaska, doing ionospheric research using an ionospheric heater.

It's pretty straightforward - send a radio signal into the ionosphere, let it be absorbed, and measure the resultant effects. - The effects are very weak, so it takes some pretty sharp instruments to detect them. They sure as heck aren't anywhere NEAR large enough to be visible in daylight like this.

This video is just a circumhorizon arc.

[TheFlorianL]

HAARP SPOTTED

[mgdallas1]

It is said that these lights appear before an earthquake. The 1976 earthquake in Tangshan, 1920 in Hiayuan and 1923 in Sichuan (China) reportedly saw lights before the earthquakes hit. Don't think its coincidence. But I'm no scientist, but if I saw millions of dragonfly's leaving he city, or fish jumping out of their bowls to kill themselves, (like in the 1976 quake) I would definitely book it out of town as fast as my skinny legs could take me!!

[djsnakeyes]

HAARP

[LazyJones1]

@Jonnypolea

Careful with the insults.

This is not aurora borealis.

Aurora borealis is not visible in the middle of the day, nor does it look quite like this.

This is a circumhorizon arc. Refraction of sunlight in high altitude ice crystals. It ONLY occurs in the middle of the day, and looks exactly like this.

[Jonnypolea]

its not a rainbow dumbass, its arora borealas. it radiation from a solar flare projected from the sun which is reacting wirh our atmosphere.

[lmy21212121]

@mra23413 yeah, smart guy, can u plz tell me, how could it be a rainbow without any sun shine?

[sepdet13]

Google "Earthquake lights." For a long time geologists thought they were hoaxes, but there have been enough documented photos from earthquakes in the last half-century that they know they're real; they're just not quite sure what causes them.

[dogblessamerica]

I have seen noctilucent clouds like these, and there was no earthquake. I can't imagine how the two phenomena could possibly be related! That doesn't mean there isn't something we don't understand going on. But it doesn't mean there is either.

[LazyJones1]

@steved314ify

The sun also creates refraction phenomena that looks JUST like this one, so there is no solid basis to make the conclusion that this has anything to do with earthquakes. Especially considering how far away from the quake this was observed.

The time of day, the altitude and angle in the sky of the sun, it perfectly fits with what is required to form a circumhorizon arc, which is exactly what this looks like.

[steved314ify]

Under immense pressure rock will shoot out rays of light. HENCE, the immense and mass rocks being crush by the plates underfoot are shooting out rays of light from earth towards the sky. The rays hit a cloud, and HENCE a rainbow cloud. SO next time you see a rainbow cloud....be prepared. Not so mystical, but certainly helpful. Also there is a ton of magnetic and sub sonic energy going on. So animals usually freak too. Hoards of toads on the road is a good sign of tectonic movement. Good Luck!