Geosciences Dept. Seminar: Atmospheric observations using the Israeli infrasound network

Abstract: 

Infrasound consists of sound waves below 20 Hz, inaudible to humans.  They are caused by large disturbances to the atmosphere, which can be natural, as in the case of thunderstorms and volcanic plumes, or man-made, as in the case of atmospheric nuclear weapons tests.  Several years ago, arrays for monitoring infrasound were installed in Israel.  We present here a summary of the first few years of data analysis from these detectors.  We show successful interceptions of signals from local activity including lightning, sprites, and pressure waves from oceanic swells. We surprisingly intercepted signals from volcanic activity thousands of km away.  Finally, we will attempt to answer the following question: do the Israeli detectors have the capacity to add to the worldwide network of observations in a meaningful way?

Seminar Organizer: Prof. Eyal Haifetz