Unbeknownst to many, however, is that tornadoes and the storms that spawn them generate something called infrasound. These sound waves have frequencies below 20 hertz (cycles per second) or beyond the lower limit of human audibility. Infrasound stations have been created around the world to monitor both man-made events (such as nuclear explosions and sonic booms) and natural events (such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and avalanches).
Tornadic thunderstorms emit infrasound up to two hours before "tornadogenesis" when the tornado forms its signature shape. Figuring out how to collect and decipher these sounds could buy communities precious time to prepare.
Brian Elbing, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Oklahoma State University, believes infrasound warning systems could revolutionize tornado prediction services.
An infrasound array monitoring station in Qaanaaq, Greenland. Ebling and his team have created a similar setup for listening to tornado infrasound. (Photo: The Official CTBTO Photostream/flickr)
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