Covid-19 lockdowns worldwide led to the longest and most pronounced reduction in human-linked seismic vibrations ever recorded. — AFP pic
Vibrations travel through the earth like waves, creating seismic noise from earthquakes, volcanoes, wind and rivers as well as human actions such as travel and industry.and conducted using international seismometer networks, scientists found that human-linked earth vibrations dropped by an average of 50 per cent between March and May this year.
Beginning in China in late January, and followed by Europe and the rest of the world in March to April, researchers saw “a wave of quietening” as worldwide lockdown measures to slow the coronavirus pandemic took hold. The relative quiet allowed scientists to “listen in” in more detail on the earth’s natural vibrations, said Stephen Hicks, a seismologist at Imperial College London who co-led the work.