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Oceanic Sounds of Last Year's Earthquake

Posted by Zonk on from the science-on-a-massive-scale dept.

DoctorBit writes "Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory is reporting that some of their researchers have analyzed recordings of the underwater sound produced by last year's magnitude 9.3 Sumatra earthquake. By studying the ocean's sound waves rather than the Earth's seismic waves, the researchers measured the earthquake's speed and duration with unprecedented accuracy."

5 of 75 comments (clear)

  1. Sustained energy by TimTheFoolMan · · Score: 5, Informative

    What's interesting in listening to the MP3 is the sense of sustained energy over such a long period of time. Surreal...

    Tim

  2. In case of Slashdotting by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    The MP3:
    http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu.nyud.net:8090/news/20 05/images/tsun_eq.mp3

    The Article:
    http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu.nyud.net:8090/news/20 05/07_20_05.htm

    Enjoy.

  3. Re:Detecting Submarines by iamlucky13 · · Score: 3, Informative

    No, it would not. As the article says, the sensors were in place to help ensure adherence to the nuclear test treaties by detecting nuclear detonations, which are a heck of a lot louder than nuclear submarines (it has been said that the Ohio class SSBN's are quieter than the ocean around them...currents, fish, etc).

    There does, however, already exist several large sonar chains known as SOSUS (SOund SUrveillance System). These were built by the navy in the 50's specifically for tracking submarines. It was upgraded over the years, but since the need has dwindled, it is not actively manned anymore. If I remember correctly, recordings from this were used to help the Russians figure out what went wrong on the Kursk.

  4. Re:Detecting Submarines by demachina · · Score: 3, Informative

    I think SOSUS is manned, but by reservists, its slowly fading away not because the mission has dwindled, but because its obsolete.

    Its been supplanted by IUSS(Integrated Undersea Surveillance System) which is monitored by regular Navy personel.

    Lockheed has a $100-150 million dollar contract for Phase II IUSS which I think is coming online any time now.

    There are still plenty of submarine threats in the world and the U.S. isn't going to stop tracking them anytime soon.

    --
    @de_machina
  5. Re:caterpillar drive? by giantsfan89 · · Score: 2, Informative

    For the confused, the quote came from The Hunt for Red October.

    --
    Don't ping my cheese with your bandwidth!