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Source – This post on Infrasound is based on the article “Elephants Communicate With Infrasound at a Frequency So Low That Humans Can’t Hear It” published in Twisted Sifter on 27th September 2024.
Why in News?
In a recent study, it was found that animals do communicate using infrasound.
About Infrasound
| Aspects | Description |
| About | 1. Infrasound refers to sound waves with frequencies below the lower limit of human hearing, typically below 20 Hz. 2. They can travel long distances and penetrate through various materials like walls and buildings. |
| Sources of Infrasound | Infrasound can be produced by natural phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, ocean waves, and thunderstorms, as well as by man-made sources like explosions, industrial machinery, and some musical instruments. |
| Characteristics of Infrasound | 1) Frequencies typically range from 0.001 Hz to 20 Hz. 2) Due to its long wavelength, infrasound is less likely to be absorbed by the environment and can travel over vast distances. 3) It can pass through solid objects and be detected by special instruments like barometers and seismometers. |
| Detection of Infrasound | Infrasound is inaudible to humans, requiring specialized instruments such as infrasound sensors to detect and measure these sound waves. Seismographs, microbarometers, and specially designed microphones are used for infrasound detection. |
| Applications of Infrasound | 1) Monitoring Natural Disasters: It helps in early detection of volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis. Infrasound from meteor impacts can also be recorded. 2) Military and Defence: It is used to detect nuclear explosions and monitor compliance with international treaties (like the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty). 3) Animal Communication: Some animals, such as elephants and whales, use infrasound for long-distance communication. 4) Medical and Scientific Research: It is used in atmospheric research to study phenomena such as tornadoes and large-scale explosions. 5) Animals such as elephants and whales use infrasound for communication over great distances, as these low-frequency sounds can travel farther than higher-pitched sounds. |
UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology
