Basic theory of electrokinetic effects associated with earthquakes

We present the theoretical foundations of the electrokinetic effects preceding earthquakes. We assume that dilatancy together with fluid diffusion occurs in porous media inside seismic focal regions. Electric current, mass and heat fluxes can be calculated with a set of canonical equations in which the source terms are electric potential, pressure, temperature and concentration gradients. The main goal of this theory is to provide the basis for understanding the observed electric and magnetic precursors of earthquakes.