Infrasound

Definition

Infrasound refers to sound waves with frequencies below 20 Hz, which is the lower limit of human hearing. These low-frequency sounds can propagate over long distances and can be generated by natural events like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, as well as man-made sources such as explosions and machinery. Infrasound can have various applications, including monitoring environmental changes and studying animal behavior.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Infrasound can travel great distances without losing intensity, making it useful for monitoring distant events.
2. Animals such as elephants and whales use infrasound for communication over long ranges.
3. Certain infrasound frequencies can affect human health, potentially causing discomfort or even physiological responses.
4. Infrasound is utilized in various fields, including meteorology, to track severe weather phenomena.
5. Detecting infrasound can help in identifying nuclear tests, as they produce distinct low-frequency sound waves.

Review Questions

• How does infrasound differ from audible sound in terms of frequency and propagation characteristics?
  • Infrasound differs from audible sound primarily in its frequency range, being below 20 Hz while audible sound ranges from 20 Hz to about 20 kHz. Infrasound waves can travel longer distances due to their low frequency, which allows them to bend around obstacles more effectively than higher frequencies. This ability to propagate over vast distances makes infrasound useful for detecting natural phenomena and monitoring environmental changes.
• Discuss the significance of infrasound in environmental monitoring and its applications in detecting natural disasters.
  • Infrasound plays a significant role in environmental monitoring by allowing scientists to detect and analyze phenomena like volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. The unique characteristics of infrasound enable it to provide valuable information about the scale and location of these events. By using specialized sensors to pick up low-frequency sounds generated during such occurrences, researchers can monitor seismic activities and enhance early warning systems for natural disasters.
• Evaluate the impact of infrasound on both wildlife communication and human health, considering the frequency's diverse effects.
  • Infrasound has a profound impact on wildlife communication, as many species, including elephants and whales, utilize low-frequency sounds to communicate over large distances. This form of communication is crucial for their social structure and navigation. On the other hand, exposure to certain levels of infrasound may negatively affect human health, leading to discomfort or physiological effects such as headaches or anxiety. Understanding these dual impacts is essential for balancing wildlife needs with human activity, especially in areas where both coexist.

Related terms

Low-frequency sound:

Sound waves that have frequencies typically ranging from 20 Hz to 200 Hz, which can be felt as much as heard.

Seismology: The study of earthquakes and the propagation of elastic waves through the Earth, often using infrasound to detect seismic activity.

Acoustic monitoring: A technique that uses sound waves, including infrasound, to monitor environmental conditions or detect specific events like animal calls or natural disasters.