Using Fracture-Induced Electromagnetic Radiation (FEMR) for In Situ Stress Analysis: A Case Study of the Ramon Crater

This study examines fracture-induced electromagnetic radiation (FEMR) to assess tectonic stress in the Ramon Crater, a geologically “stable” area in southern Israel. With its minor seismic activity, the Ramon Crater poses unique challenges for traditional methods of stress assessment. Here, we introduce FEMR as a novel approach for detecting regional stress orientations by capturing electromagnetic pulses from micro-cracks formed under stress. These FEMR pulses provide indirect but valuable indicators of stress directions on both local and regional scales, demonstrating FEMR’s capability to detect subtle stress changes even in low-activity regions. The findings show that FEMR offers a scalable and sensitive method for mapping stress orientations in stable tectonic environments, making it a promising alternative to conventional seismic techniques. This application of FEMR opens new avenues for understanding regional stress fields in areas with limited seismicity, providing critical insights into tectonic stress behaviors that influence faulting and fracture dynamics in such stable regions.