Finally the silence – that’s Why earthquake researchers from the Lockdown benefit Because the population remained a majority at home, were able to recognize Researchers earthquake waves better. You hope to gain valuable insights for predicting future quakes. 1 Kommentar1Die earth is in a constant state of movement: A Seismograph shows earthquake of a magnitude of 6.2 in Yogyakarta in Japan in the year 2006. Photo: Irwin Fedriansyah, AP Photo/Keystone
the week-long standstill in many areas of society, it has become even on the surface of the earth quiet. The result: earthquake signals were more evident than in the front of the Corona-Lockdown, also in Switzerland.
“the decrease of The soil movement at many stations clearly measurable,” said seismologist Joachim Ritter Karlsruhe Institute of technology (KIT). With the gradual return to normal ways of life busy, busy, busy, in the meantime, on the surface of the earth again. From the analysis of the data from the time of the “Corona-silent” hoping for the geophysicist, but many of the new findings for earthquake research. “I hope that we will see a pair of measuring signals, which we would not have discovered otherwise,” said the KIT-a Professor.
The researchers believe that more micro-earthquake detection for the prediction of major earthquakes is of importance. “Usually, the signals of small earthquakes are drowned out,” says Ritter.
waves of the sea and the Wind and the earth wings
“The earth’s surface is never absolutely quiet, but constantly in slight motion,” explains the geophysicist. Going to gives this for people not significant “seismic noise” due to natural causes such as sea waves and Wind, but also by human sources, such as traffic, construction and industry. Especially heavy trucks, Railways and wind turbines that leave characteristic signals, and let the earth vibrate.
during the day this floor is restlessness stronger than in the night, on weekdays more than on weekends. Especially the man-made noise most of the earthquake waves drowned out and interferes with the researchers. Normally. Since mid-March, the Corona-restrictions handles, registered seismologists in Germany and Europe, according to the KIT scientist on average “20 to 30 per cent less noise emissions”.
Particularly striking is the reduction in large cities such as Milan or Stuttgart, and on strongly frequented traffic routes was. “So a little noise is normally only available at Christmas or Easter,” says knight.
Lockdown effect in Switzerland, measurable
According to the Swiss seismological service (SED) this effect can be in this country to determine. The earthquake-measuring stations signed on during the part of the lock downs are also smaller earthquakes, whose signals would otherwise disappear in the background noise.
Especially in urban areas, the seismic background noise is decreased significantly, for example, in Martigny, Zurich, Basel or Geneva. For rural or Alpine location, earthquake measurement stations, the background noise is, however, similar as before, of that part of the lock downs and practices. The reason for this is, according to the SED, that these areas are very much influenced less from vibration due to road traffic, trains, and other human activities.
“The newly detected Micro-events help to improve our understanding of the tectonic conditions,” said the seismologist Philippe Roth to Keystone SDA. However, the “Corona-window was considered rods” in a geological mass, but is very short, so that the gain of knowledge was rather low.
(SDA)
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