A positive from COVID-19?

A new study by an international team of scientists has found lockdown measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 led to a 50 per cent reduction in seismic noise observed around the world.

It is the largest reduction in human-generated noise ever observed globally.

The researchers, including Associate Professor Meghan Miller and Professor Louis Moresi from The Australian National University (ANU), analysed datasets from over 300 seismic stations around the world.

These stations use seismometers to record vibrations travelling through the ground – known as seismic waves.

The study showed a reduction in seismic noise in many countries, making it possible to visualise the resulting change in human mobility – first in China, then to Italy and the rest of the world as different countries and regions implemented lockdown measures.

“The drop in the ‘buzz’ caused by human activity is unprecedented,” Assoc. Prof. Miller said.

“This is the longest and most prominent global seismic noise reduction of this kind on record.

“We can see the total effect of social distancing measures, reduced economic and industrial activity and drops in tourism and travel.”

Assoc. Prof. Miller says traditionally seismometers focus on measuring seismic waves generated by earthquakes, however seismic records also contain high-frequency vibrations, or ‘buzz’, from human movement.

“Walking around, driving cars, getting the train, construction work – all these things create unique seismic signatures,” Assoc. Prof. Miller said.

“Perhaps unsurprisingly, the strongest seismic noise reductions were found in urban areas. But, we also saw signatures of the lockdown on sensors buried hundreds of metres below the ground and in more remote areas such as Sub-Saharan Africa.

“There has been much discussion about the environmental effects of the pandemic lockdown, but this is the first global study of the impact it’s had on the solid Earth beneath our feet.”

The researchers also found evidence that previously concealed earthquakes signals, especially during the daytime, appeared much clearer in urban areas during the lockdown – paving the way for the discovery of previously hidden signals from earthquakes and volcanoes.

The findings have been published in the journal Science.

What other positives do you think have come as a result of lockdowns around the world?

2 comments

Less pollution/fewer crowds/less damage to the environment

Positive outcomes from Covid-19 are numerous in my opinion. As mentioned in the original post, the first positive aspect of this pandemic is the effect on the environment. 

What I witness almost every day is a new sense of community and social connectedness. Self-isolation for some is not an easy call…humans as social animals have been challenged..however, people all over the world are finding new ways to reach out and interact wth their neighbours. Hopefully this will continue. 

It is said “necessity is the mother of invention”…lockdown brought out talents people did not know they had. Businesses have had to reinvent themselves in order to survive. People at home learnt to do other things and new skills were learnt by many and old skills revived. 

Impressive too is the new corporate responsibility we see emerge.  Companies donating money, helping those in the community. Not many realise this…but it is happening. 

What I find interesting and very positive is how most children have taken to changes in their learning environment. Adaptability which I believe will stand them in good stead as adults. Some adults are even embracing the “work from home” new normal and to me that is a great step forward and hopefully will continue. 

For me one of the most important and lasting positives of the pandemic is being grateful..many now have a new perspective on life and living and what it means. We have taken for granted so many things for so long…now... I think most of us have a new and lasting respect for those people who risk their lives to help their community..for instance, health care workers, and other frontline staff who show up for work to keep the wheels turning.  

 

 

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