The Hindu : National : The helium pointers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 11, 2005

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National

The helium pointers

Marcus Dam

KOLKATA: The Department of Atomic Energy has undertaken a project to study the emission of helium from hot springs. Such emission could serve as a precursor to earthquakes with an intensity of 5 or more on the Richter scale. A survey is on to ascertain the helium level in natural gases coming from hot springs, including from oil wells. Organised in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology, it is a part of a national programme to explore helium resources.

Helium has uses in space, defence and super-conducting technology and India is now depends on imports for the strategic element, according to Bikash Sinha, Director, Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC), Department of Atomic Energy. Any increase in the emission of the gas from hot springs could be a precursor to major or semi-major earthquakes. The signals appear 10 days to a month before seismic tremors.

The level of helium in gases emitted from the hot springs in West Bengal's Bakreshwar is significantly high. It is here that studies revealed that the emission of the gas shoots up prior to a major earthquake, R.K. Bhandari, Associate Director, VECC, said. The gas output from the springs is nearly 5,000 litres a day. The helium level is more than 1 per cent. Such a level is the highest from any hot spring in the country where the element has been detected. Scientists will visit the hot springs in Manikaran near Kulu in Himachal Pradesh next week to ascertain the level of heliumin the gases emanating from there.Helium has also been found at the springs in Taptapani in Orissa, and in Assam.

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