What can seismographs tell us about tornadoes and thunderstorms?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the relationship between seismographs and atmospheric phenomena, specifically tornadoes and thunderstorms. Participants examine the potential for seismic detection of these weather events and the implications for early warning systems and storm tracking.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Steve introduces the idea that seismic waves can be generated by tornadoes and thunderstorms, referencing a specific event where seismographs recorded unusual signals related to a tornado.
  • Dave mentions that amateur seismologists have previously recorded ground vibrations caused by tornadoes and highlights professional efforts to use microphones to capture noise generated by these storms.
  • There is a suggestion that seismic signals from strong ocean storms may also be detectable, which could be beneficial for shipping.
  • Dave shares his experience of observing cold fronts and storm systems through seismic data, noting the rise in microseism noise prior to storm arrival.
  • Another participant expresses curiosity about the possibility of using multiple seismometers to measure the position and extent of weather systems, indicating a lack of awareness about existing practices in this area.
  • Dave responds affirmatively, suggesting that the observation of storms using seismometers has been done for years, but he is unsure if the data has been utilized effectively.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that seismographs can detect signals related to tornadoes and storms, but there is no consensus on the extent of this capability or the practical applications of the data collected. Multiple competing views on the effectiveness and historical use of seismic data for weather observation remain present.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations include the dependence on specific definitions of seismic signals and the unresolved nature of how effectively this data can be utilized for weather prediction or early warning systems.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those involved in meteorology, seismology, environmental science, and anyone curious about the intersection of atmospheric and geological phenomena.

Dotini
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I thought this story was a serendipitous twist on quakes and clouds. It gets me to thinking about the coupling of the lithosphere to our atmosphere.

http://www.ouramazingplanet.com/2583-harrisburg-tornado-seismogram.html
The deadly storms that struck the Midwest and South last week were so strong that they created seismic waves.

One of the twisters that struck southeastern Missouri and southern Illinois on Feb. 29 passed through a seismic detection array that includes more than 100 state-of-the-art digital seismographs across the U.S. heartland. While seismographs have been known to detect seismic activity related to tornadoes, it is highly unusual to have the instruments recording information so close to a tornado, the researchers said.

"In examining the seismograms, we recorded unusual seismic signals on three of our stations in southern Illinois," said Michael Hamburger, a geologist at Indiana University and one of the researchers conducting the experiment. "The seismograms show a strong, low-frequency pulse beginning around 4:45 a.m. [local time] on Feb. 29. Our preliminary interpretation, based on other seismic records of tornadoes, suggests that we were recording not the tornado itself, but a large atmospheric pressure transient related to the large thunderstorms that spawned the tornadoes."

Respectfully submitted,
Steve
 
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Hey Steve,

This has been done for some time. Even a number of my USA amateur seismology friends have recorded the vibrations of the ground caused by the nearby passing of tornadoes.
These's also been extensive professional work done using microphones in arrays to pick up ground noise generated by tornadoes.
This I recall may have had something to do with trialing an early warning system

Dave
 
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On a related note there is also some investigation under way to see if seismic signals from strong ocean storms can be detected. Would be useful for shipping I imagine.
 
JesseC said:
On a related note there is also some investigation under way to see if seismic signals from strong ocean storms can be detected. Would be useful for shipping I imagine.

That has been done for many many years. I can see every cold front/storm system over the ocean several hours hours before it arrives to my local area. The weather system produces a much heavier sea swell that pounds the coastline well ahead of the system arrival.

Its cool to watch the microseism noise rise in data counts on the seismic system :)

cheers
Dave
 
davenn said:
That has been done for many many years. I can see every cold front/storm system over the ocean several hours hours before it arrives to my local area. The weather system produces a much heavier sea swell that pounds the coastline well ahead of the system arrival.

Its cool to watch the microseism noise rise in data counts on the seismic system :)

cheers
Dave

That is really cool! I'd only briefly read about it on a university website somewhere and didn't realize it was already widespread practise. Is it possible to measure the position and extent of weather systems using multiple seismometers in different locations?
 
JesseC said:
That is really cool! I'd only briefly read about it on a university website somewhere and didn't realize it was already widespread practise. Is it possible to measure the position and extent of weather systems using multiple seismometers in different locations?

It's been done for years as in the observation of impending storms and cold fronts.

I'm personally not aware as to if anything has ever been done with the data ...
There you go ... A MSc thesis in there for someone. :)

I'm not home for a few more days yet, when I do, will look to see if I have an example seismograph to post for you to see


Dave