In the last decade, the real time ground–based geomagnetic observations realized in correlation with the Vrancea seismicity in Romania, together with supplementary studies related to some earthquakes (Mw9.0 Tohoku, Japan on 11 March 2011 and Mw8.3 Coquimbo, Chile on 16 September 2015), enlarged our knowledge about the relationship between the pre-seismic anomalous phenomena and the final stage of the earthquake nucleation. To identify possible ultra-low-frequency (ULF) geomagnetic signals prior to the onset of an Mw8.1 earthquake, we retroactively analyzed the data collected on the interval 1 August–16 September 2017 at the Geomagnetic Observatories in Teoloyucan (TEO), Mexico and Tucson (TUC) USA, with the last taken as a reference. Daily mean distributions of the polarization parameter BPOL (geomagnetic polarization parameter) and standard deviation are obtained for both observatories using a fast Fourier transform (FFT) band-pass filtering in the ULF range (0.001–0.083 Hz). Further on, we investigated the singularity of the pre-seismic signal associated with an Mw8.1 earthquake and applied a statistical analysis based on a standardized random variable equation; results are presented as BPOL* time series on the interval 1–26 September. Finally, the hourly mean distribution, obtained as difference BPOL (TUC-TEO) on the interval 7–9 September emphasizes an anomalous signal with five hours before the onset of the Mw8.1 earthquake.

An earthquake of Mw6.4 hit the coastal zone of Albania on 26 November 2019, at 02:54:11 UTC. It was intensively felt at about 34 km away, in Tirana City, where damages and lives lost occurred. To emphasize a pre-seismic geomagnetic signature before the onset of this earthquake, the data collected on the interval 15 October–30 November 2019, at the Panagjurishte (PAG)-Bulgaria and Surlari (SUA)-Romania observatories were analyzed. Further on, for geomagnetic signal identification we used the polarization parameter (BPOL) which is time invariant in non-seismic conditions and it becomes unstable due to the strain effect related to the Mw6.4earthquake. Consequently, BPOL time series and its standard deviations are performed for the both sites using ultra low frequency (ULF)-fast Fourier transform (FFT) band-pass filtering. A statistical analysis, based on a standardized random variable equation, was applied to emphasize on the BPOL* (PAG) and ABS BPOL* (PAG) time series the anomalous signal’s singularity and, to differentiate the transient local anomalies due to the Mw6.4 earthquake, from the internal and external parts of the geomagnetic field, taken PAG observatory as reference. Finally, the ABS BPOL* (PAG-SUA) time series were obtained on the interval 1–30 November 2019, where a geomagnetic signature greater than 2.0, was detected on 23 November and the lead time was 3 days before the onset of the Mw6.4earthquake.

In this paper the electromagnetic normalized functions (ENF), carried out in ULF band, have been analyzed in correlation with intermediate depth seismic events occurring in Vrancea zone. To confirm the relationship between anomalous, pre-seismic behavior and an imminent earthquake, a methodology based on the temporal invariability criterion of ENF for a 2-D structure, in non-geodynamic conditions, has been used. The electromagnetic data were collected at the Geodynamic Observatory Provita de Sus (GOPS), placed on the Carpathian electrical conductivity anomaly where the epicentral distance is about 100 km, and the National Geophysical Observatory Surlari (NGOS) taken as a reference and located 140 km from the Vrancea zone. The daily mean distributions of the ENF over a span of several months in 2009, carried out at GOPS, exhibit significant enhancements from the normal trend before all the earthquakes with magnitudes higher than 4. Two correlations between the magnitudes of seismic events and Bzn have to be highlighted: (i) an earthquake of M ≥ 4 is expected to occur when Bzn ≥ 1.846; (ii) meanwhile, the anomalous behaviour of Bzn ≥ 1.851 may be use as pre- seismic value for an earthquake of M ≥ 5. The lead time is closed on 7–15 days before earthquakes occurrence.

In this paper we used the geomagnetic data, collected in real time on the intervals August- September and November-December, 2016, to emphasize possible relationships between the anomalous behavior of the normalized function Bzn and the both M5.7 and M5.6 earthquakes, generated at 72 km and, respectively 71 km depth, in the seismic active Vrancea zone on September 24 and December 28, 2016. Daily mean distributions of the Bzn and its standard deviation (SD) are obtained for the both time-intervals, in the ULF frequency range 0.001Hz - 0.0083Hz, by using the FFT band-pass filtering. We investigate the singularities of the pre-seismic anomalous signals related to the M5.7 and M5.6 earthquakes applying a statistical analysis based on a standardized random variable equation, and the results are presented as Bz* time series performed on the new time intervals 1-30 September and 1-31 December, 2016. Finally, two pre-seismic anomalous signals are observed: first one on September 21, with values greater than 5 SD, what means a lead time of 3 days before the onset of M5.7 earthquake; the second one, with values larger than 4 SD, which was identified on December 21 with 7 days prior to M5.6earhquake. In conclusion, as the work-station has specific programs for data processing, analyses and real time (daily) data display on the institute website, it may be used as an early warning system able to provide useful information for resilience improvement against the Vrancea intermediate depth seismicity.

A strong earthquake of magnitude Mw7.0 struck the northern coastal zone of Samos Island, Aegean See, Greece, on October 30, 2020, at 11:51 UTC. This earthquake was felt at a wide area including Athens (at 270km) and city of Heraklion, Crete (at 320km), causing over 120 deaths and a lot of damages on houses, buildings and infrastructures mainly in Samos Island and Izmir (Turkey). With the aim to identify an anomalous geomagnetic signature before the onset of this earthquake, we have retrospectively analyzed the data collected, on the interval September 16 - October 31, 2020, at the two geomagnetic observatories, Pedeli (PEG)-Greece and Panagjurishte (PAG)-Bulgaria, by using the polarization parameter (BPOL) and the strain effect–related to geomagnetic signal identification. Thus, for the both observation sites (PEG and PAG), the daily mean distribution of the BPOL and its standard deviation (SD) are carried out using a FFT band-pass filtering in the ULF range (0.001-0.0083Hz). Further on, a statistical analysis based on a standardized random variable equation was applied for the following two particular cases: a) to assess on the both time series BPOL*(PEG) and BPOL*(PAG) the anomalous signature related to Mw7.0 earthquake; b) to differentiate transient local anomalies associated with Mw7.0 earthquake from the internal and external parts of the geomagnetic field, taking the PAG Observatory as reference. Finally, on the BPOL*(PEG-PAG) time series, carried out on the interval 1-31 October, 2020, a very clear anomaly of maximum, greater than 1.2SD, was detected on October 27, with 3days before the onset of Mw7.0 earthquake.