Physics – Geophysics
Scientific paper
Jun 2004
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004georl..3111602g&link_type=abstract
Geophysical Research Letters, Volume 31, Issue 11, CiteID L11602
Physics
Geophysics
2
Exploration Geophysics: Seismic Methods (3025), Exploration Geophysics: Data Processing, Physical Properties Of Rocks: Wave Attenuation, Seismology: Surface Waves And Free Oscillations, Seismology: General Or Miscellaneous
Scientific paper
We conducted experiments with trained African elephants that show that low-frequency elephant vocalizations produce Rayleigh waves. We model a potential range for these seismic waves, under ideal conditions, of c. 2 km. In appropriate conditions, surface waves from an elephant's infrasonic vocalizations might propagate further than airborne sound and provide advantages over acoustic communication. However, if we use the detection capabilities of the human ear as a benchmark for the signal-detection thresholds of elephants, our estimates of attenuation and ambient seismic noise suggest that the seismic detection range is unlikely to exceed the acoustic detection range under normal atmospheric conditions. We conclude that elephants may benefit from seismic detection in circumstances where the range of acoustic communication is limited, or in cases where multimodal communication is advantageous. Given our current understanding, elephants are unlikely to rely on seismic waves as their primary mode for long-range communication.
Günther Roland H.
Klemperer Simon L.
O'Connell-Rodwell Caitlin E.
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