Unheard soundscape: Scientist to discuss infrasound research

Submitted by Amy Hartley
Phone: 907-474-5823
01/28/08

When the Indonesian volcano Krakatoa erupted in 1883, it was discovered that sound waves from a single event could be recorded across the globe. Such sounds are well below the frequency of human hearing and are known as infrasound. Although people cannot hear it, the infrasound portion of the audio spectrum is quite noisy. There are numerous natural phenomena that cause infrasound such as the aurora, earthquakes, lightning, volcanoes and more. Curt Szuberla, an assistant professor of physics at the Geophysical Institute, will allow audiences to tune into the science of the unheard on Tuesday, Jan. 29 with his lecture, "Unheard Soundscape: The Infrasound World of Man & Nature."

Szuberla’s lecture will begin at 7 p.m. in the Westmark Gold Room in downtown Fairbanks. His talk on the infrasound research conducted by a team from the UAF Geophysical Institute will be the third installment in the 2008 Science for Alaska Lecture Series. All ages are welcome to attend this one-hour event. Admission is free.

The Science for Alaska Lecture Series brings the current research of University of Alaska scientists to the community in free presentations that are entertaining and educational. Since 1992, roughly 100,000 people statewide have enjoyed science lectures in the series. This year, Science for Alaska will run for six consecutive Tuesdays in Fairbanks through Feb. 19. All lectures begin at 7 p.m. in the Westmark Gold Room.

The 2008 Science for Alaska Lecture Series is sponsored by Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, the Geophysical Institute and the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

CONTACT: Curt Szuberla, assistant professor of physics, Geophysical Institute, at 907-474-7347. Amy Hartley, Geophysical Institute information officer, at 907-474-5823.

ON THE WEB: www.scienceforalaska.com