Simulation with Monte Carlo methods to find relationships between accumulated mechanical energy and atomic/nuclear radiation in piezoelectric rocks with focus on earthquakes

Abstract

Radiations of atomic/nuclear particles during earthquakes have been detected and verified by many experiments. Some tests also verify some radiations during the fracture of small-size piezoelectric rocks in the laboratories. Some researchers studied the mechanism of such reactions and considered the photonuclear reaction as a possible mechanism for such phenomena. In this study, to understand the dominant mechanisms of radiation of particles before or during the earthquakes and also to find some relationships between applying the mechanical energy and the mentioned radiations in small and giant scales of piezoelectric rocks, we first analyzed the piezoelectricity equations in these rocks. Then, we performed an energy analysis of the earthquakes, considering the amount of energy stored in a block of rock during applying the uniaxial stress. Thereafter, MCNPX simulation code is employed to simulate the tracks and energies of the created particles in a small piece of quartz and in three giant granite blocks. We have found that in the small piece of quartz, the atomic interactions cause low-energy electrons’ and photons’ radiations, and no nuclear interactions have been observed. However, in giant granite blocks, in addition to the atomic interactions, the photonuclear reactions play big roles, resulting in the creation of high-energy photons, neutrons and protons. Furthermore, some equations have been extracted to relate the mechanical energy stored in a piezoelectric rock and the number and energy of the created atomic/nuclear particles. The outcome of this research would be very beneficial in understanding the earthquake mechanism and its prediction.

KEYWORDS:

• Piezoelectricity
• Monte Carlo
• MCNPX
• Nuclear radiation
• Earthquake
• Atomic radiation

Acknowledgement

The authors acknowledge the Payame Noor University for its support.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Abouzar Bahari

Abouzar Bahari, PhD Student of physics in Payame Noor University.

Saeed Mohammadi

Saeed Mohammadi, Full Professor of Physics in Payame Noor University, Faculty member for more than 30 years, Skills and expertise: Gamma Spectroscopy, Nuclear Models.

Mohammad Reza Benam

Mohammad Reza Benam, Associate Professor of Physics in Payame Noor University, Faculty member for more than 30 years, Skills and expertise: Solid State Physics, Density Functional Theory, Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics.

Zahra Sajjadi

Zahra Sajjadi, Assistant Professor of Physics in Payame Noor University, Faculty member from 2005, Skills and expertise: Internal Dosimetry, MCNPX, Radiation Protection, Radiation Dosimetry.