seismic waves
Coverage of seismic waves in the Nexus archive.
- Elephants may close their ear canals at will to hear vibrations miles away
Elephants can close their ear canals to enhance their ability to detect seismic vibrations from over six miles away, according to a study in Frontiers in Audiology and Otology. Researchers found elephant middle ear bones and eardrums are significantly larger than humans', enabling superior low-frequency hearing through bone conduction. This adaptation aids in long-distance communication, mate-finding, and detecting threats like predators or vehicles.
- Japan’s 2011 earthquake was so powerful that it shifted the entire country’s location
Japan’s 2011 earthquake was powerful enough to shift the country’s location. Researchers found that the event was likely caused by seismic waves bouncing off Earth’s core.
- Scientists discover hidden forces are warping Earth deep beneath the surface
Scientists have mapped deformation in Earth's deepest mantle, revealing ancient tectonic plates buried thousands of kilometers underground. Using global seismic data, they confirmed theories about these slabs' influence on mantle deformation for the first time on a global scale.