Electrical precursors of earthquakes in Aegean Sea during the last decade (1997–2007)

Abstract. The purpose of this study is to investigate some properties of the Seismic Electric Signals (SES) that preceded large earthquakes which occurred in the Aegean Sea (24–27)° E, (37–40)° N, during the last decade. Our main interest is focused on the important parameter of the lead time Δt, which is the time difference between the occurrence of the earthquake and the detection of the associated SES signal. Two groups of lead times, a short (i.e. Δt~ some weeks) and a long one (Δt~ some months) have been observed. We examine whether this difference could be related to the regional tectonics. Furthermore the property of SES selectivity is discussed.