Earthquake mystery: What were the glowing lights in the Turkey sky? Here’s the science behind it

On April 2, a 4.2 magnitude earthquake shook Türkiye. While such seismic activity is not unusual in the region, what happened next caught many off guard. Reports emerged of floating lights appearing in the sky shortly after the earthquake. Initially dismissed as illusions or even UFO sightings, these glowing phenomena are now being studied more closely under the name of “earthquake lights” (EQL), a rare but scientifically documented phenomenon.

These lights can take the form of floating spheres, streaks, or stationary flares that often appear just before or during seismic activity. While folklore has long associated strange lights with earthquakes, modern research is beginning to explain the science behind these sightings.

What are Earthquake Lights?

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) classifies these as EQLs, describing them as bright events that may resemble lightning bolts, glowing orbs, or flickering streams. For years, such reports were met with skepticism. But today scientists are increasingly recognizing them as real events associated with tectonic stress, especially in areas where the Earth’s crust is breaking down.

How are these lights formed?

Intense pressure in the Earth’s crust can release electrically charged particles known as “p-holes”, according to research presented at the European Geosciences Union (EGU). As these charges rise to the surface and interact with the atmosphere, they ionize the air, producing visible light that resembles the plasma in the sky.

Which satellites are visible?

Space agencies, including NASA, now track these events using satellite sensors. Studies by the International Radio Science Union (URSI) suggest that earthquakes can generate strong electric fields that extend from the ground into the atmosphere and even into the ionosphere. This process, known as “energetic coupling,” can explain the flashes and floating glows observed during seismic events.

Why do they appear near fault lines?

Studies show that approximately 97% of recorded mild earthquakes occur near rift zones where tectonic plates are separating. These fault lines act as roads, allowing electrical charges coming from the depths of the Earth to quickly reach the surface. The result is brief but striking bursts of light in the sky, often seen before or during an earthquake.
What once seemed like superstition is slowly becoming a measurable science. Earthquake lights are still rare and poorly understood; But these are no longer just stories told after the earthquake stopped.