Thunder + fiber-optic cabling used for seismic imaging
Summary
Scientists at Penn State have developed a new way to use thunderstorms and the seismic waves they create, called "thunderquakes," to study the Earth's interior. They created a computer model that can make sense of the complex seismic signals caused by thunder, allowing them to create images of underground structures without waiting for earthquakes or using explosives.Key Facts
- Seismic waves help scientists learn about what is below the Earth's surface, such as rock type and water presence.
- Thunderstorms create seismic waves when thunder's acoustic shock waves hit the ground, called thunderquakes.
- Thunderquake signals are very complex due to the way thunder forms and how waves travel through different materials on Earth.
- The Penn State team used a 3D seismic modeling software called SPECFEM3D Cartesian to simulate these waves.
- The model simplifies some parts, like treating the atmosphere as a uniform layer, which is not perfectly accurate.
- Despite limitations, the model successfully interpreted real thunderquake data from thunderstorms near the university campus.
- This new method can provide local seismic imaging without needing natural earthquakes or setting off explosives.
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