Variations of Atmospheric Muons and Background Measured with Large Volume Detector

The analysis of atmospheric muons detected in the LVD underground experiment (Gran Sasso, Italy) has been completed. Atmospheric muons and the low-energy background that the LVD detects undergo annual (seasonal) variations. The background is created by gamma quanta from decays of ^222 Rn daughter nuclei. Variations are due to seasonal fluctuations in radon concentration and additional injection of radon from groundwater associated with tectonic activity. At the LVD, research is underway to identify the relationship between the behavior of radon fields and seismic activity. The paper will discuss various sources of variations associated with geophysical aspects (the influence of the moon’s motion; changes in pressure, humidity and temperature; seismic activity).