Can solar storms trigger earthquakes? Scientists propose surprising link

Kyoto University scientists have proposed a groundbreaking theory suggesting solar storms might trigger earthquakes by creating electrostatic forces in Earth's crust. Their model shows how intense solar activity increases electron density in the ionosphere, generating negatively charged layers that create electric fields within fractured rock zones through capacitive coupling. These electrostatic pressures could reach several megapascals, potentially destabilizing already weakened fault lines and contributing to earthquake initiation when combined with existing geological stresses.