GEOLOGY AND THE PARANORMAL
In recent years, paranormal researchers are looking at the geology of an area where paranormal phenomena has been reported. Some paranormal researchers believe there could be a direct link between the paranormal phenomena and the geology of a particular area. Since no one really knows what causes paranormal activity and hauntings are place related, the geology should be one of the factors considered.
Tectonic Strain Theory
One of the popular theories linking geology and the paranormal is the Tectonic Strain Theory (TST). This theory states that stresses within the earth's crust, less than that of earthquakes, may result in highly localized surface electromagnetic disturbances through piezoelectricity in subsurface rocks. Piezoelectricity is the phenomena whereby certain crystals, notably quartz produces an electric charge across opposite crystal faces when under physical pressure.
It is suggested that the electric and magnetic fields produced by such rock strain are most common near geological faults. These cracks in the earth's crust are signs of strain and movement. Quartz is mostly found underground within other rocks, such as granite. The quartz crystals are separated from each other by other minerals. If granite is crushed, it builds up a electric charge that builds up across individual quartz crystals. Since crystals do not align, they tend to cancel each other out rather than combining to form a strong magnetic field. So it appears that simple strain is unlikely to produce significant electromagnetic fields above the ground.
If rocks do fracture they might get electromagnetic fields produced by seismoelectric conversion. It has been reported that some earthquakes have be accompanied by weak but measurable magnetic disturbances.
A scientist named Friedemann Freund has put forward the suggestion that electrical charges could be induced to flow by applying unusual pressure turning them into semi conductors. When the rocks are temporarily into semiconductors holes, (positively charged discontinuities) can flow rapidly through the rocks and might even reach the surface. The charges are conducted around underground both by rocks and water. It has been suggested that this may be the mechanism behind earthquake lights. This theory is still being developed but is looking promising.
It is suggested that paranormal researchers should examine local geology, particularly the pressure of faults and igneous rocks such as granite, gabbo, basalt etc as a part of a paranormal investigation and see if any magnetic disturbances can be traced to an underground source.
It is suggested that the electric and magnetic fields produced by such rock strain are most common near geological faults. These cracks in the earth's crust are signs of strain and movement. Quartz is mostly found underground within other rocks, such as granite. The quartz crystals are separated from each other by other minerals. If granite is crushed, it builds up a electric charge that builds up across individual quartz crystals. Since crystals do not align, they tend to cancel each other out rather than combining to form a strong magnetic field. So it appears that simple strain is unlikely to produce significant electromagnetic fields above the ground.
If rocks do fracture they might get electromagnetic fields produced by seismoelectric conversion. It has been reported that some earthquakes have be accompanied by weak but measurable magnetic disturbances.
A scientist named Friedemann Freund has put forward the suggestion that electrical charges could be induced to flow by applying unusual pressure turning them into semi conductors. When the rocks are temporarily into semiconductors holes, (positively charged discontinuities) can flow rapidly through the rocks and might even reach the surface. The charges are conducted around underground both by rocks and water. It has been suggested that this may be the mechanism behind earthquake lights. This theory is still being developed but is looking promising.
It is suggested that paranormal researchers should examine local geology, particularly the pressure of faults and igneous rocks such as granite, gabbo, basalt etc as a part of a paranormal investigation and see if any magnetic disturbances can be traced to an underground source.
Geological Faults
Another area that is of interest to some paranormal researchers is geological faults. A fault is a fracture in local rock strata. It is basically a crack along which rock strata move. Movement along faults are caused by tectonic forces, such as tectonic plates moving. Faults are not normally clean cut lines but an area of compressed rocks that are under extreme pressure on either side of the line called a fault line. Paranormal researchers have shown interest in faults, partly due to a rare phenomena called earthquake lights and the tectonic strain theory.
As this is a very technical area, you need to know your subject and it is advisable to study up on geology or get advice from a geologist. One way to identify topographical features is to get a geological map. It is best to use one with a reasonable scale (e.g 1:50 000) to see if there are faults near the site that is being investigated.
There are two types of maps solid and drift. It is possible that a fault may be covered by a drift deposit so that it may be covered by hundreds of metres of rock making it further away than you might see on a map.
It is best to use a drift map and look for cross-sections showing the dept of drift deposits
As this is a very technical area, you need to know your subject and it is advisable to study up on geology or get advice from a geologist. One way to identify topographical features is to get a geological map. It is best to use one with a reasonable scale (e.g 1:50 000) to see if there are faults near the site that is being investigated.
There are two types of maps solid and drift. It is possible that a fault may be covered by a drift deposit so that it may be covered by hundreds of metres of rock making it further away than you might see on a map.
It is best to use a drift map and look for cross-sections showing the dept of drift deposits
Magnetism
Many paranormal researchers believe the main link between geology and the paranormal is magnetism. Magnetism varies from place to place across the earth's surface. There can be temporary changes to geomagnetic fields to permanent local variations caused by geological elements. Were there are magnetic minerals underground they can alter the local magnetic field. Geological survey organizations should be able to supply local magnetic anomalies on aeromagnetic maps to the areas that are being investigated.
Local geological magnetic anomalies are of interest and can produce some interesting effects such as deflecting compass needles but are usually static disturbances. At this stage the type of magnetic fields associated to paranormal phenomena is not known and at best is guess work. Another point that needs to be made is that is that geological magnetic anomalies are not strong (a difference of 150 nT compared to the surrounding area would be considered extreme). There would be larger magnetic distortions within a building due the materials such as iron, copper, steel etc.
There is a lot of laboratory evidence that is showing magnetically induced hallucinations and some paranormal researchers take this to be the cause of some anomalous experiences and ghost sightings. There have articles written about the nature of ghosts and one theory is that ghosts may be hallucinations induced by susceptible people by suitable ambient magnetic fields. Laboratory experiments have been very impressive but there is very little evidence from field investigations to back up the laboratory experiments. The problem with the laboratory experiments is that they are controlled and the exact amount of magnetic field can be produced to induce hallucinations to get the required results. A haunted house is unlikely to have the same magnetic fields produced artificially like in a laboratory so there is very little evidence to back up the laboratory experiments.
Local geological magnetic anomalies are of interest and can produce some interesting effects such as deflecting compass needles but are usually static disturbances. At this stage the type of magnetic fields associated to paranormal phenomena is not known and at best is guess work. Another point that needs to be made is that is that geological magnetic anomalies are not strong (a difference of 150 nT compared to the surrounding area would be considered extreme). There would be larger magnetic distortions within a building due the materials such as iron, copper, steel etc.
There is a lot of laboratory evidence that is showing magnetically induced hallucinations and some paranormal researchers take this to be the cause of some anomalous experiences and ghost sightings. There have articles written about the nature of ghosts and one theory is that ghosts may be hallucinations induced by susceptible people by suitable ambient magnetic fields. Laboratory experiments have been very impressive but there is very little evidence from field investigations to back up the laboratory experiments. The problem with the laboratory experiments is that they are controlled and the exact amount of magnetic field can be produced to induce hallucinations to get the required results. A haunted house is unlikely to have the same magnetic fields produced artificially like in a laboratory so there is very little evidence to back up the laboratory experiments.