INFRASOUND:
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
NEWS: In
its upcoming workshop, the international organisation aims to connect
scientists to the silent world of infrasound
WHAT’S
IN THE NEWS?
The Comprehensive Test
Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) is holding a workshop for scientists on using
‘infrasound’ in the coming months.
Infrasound
- Definition: Sound waves with very low
frequencies.
- Sources: Generated by meteors,
storms, auroras, volcanoes, earthquakes, and nuclear explosions.
- Effects: Infrasonic waves cause
small atmospheric pressure changes detectable by microbarometers.
- Travel Distance: Can travel long distances
without losing much energy, useful for detecting distant nuclear
explosions.
Applications:
- Global Monitoring: The CTBTO’s International
Monitoring System (IMS) uses infrasound to detect nuclear activities
globally. It will have 60 array stations across 35 countries.
- Structural Monitoring: Used to check for stress,
cracks, or defects in buildings, dams, and bridges.
- Aerospace: Tracks rocket stress and
aerodynamic issues during launches.
- Mining: Assesses the integrity of
mine shafts and evaluates dynamite blasts.
- Wildlife Tracking: Monitors animal movements,
particularly whales.
Source
: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/business-tech/ctbto-tunes-into-infrasound/article68663426.ece