Tracking seismic noise and human activity during the time of COVID-19

COVID-19 lockdowns are resulting in a reduction of background noise recorded at many seismic stations: We’re seeing quieter seismic stations around the world, including at BC campus and at Weston Observatory.

Tom Lecocq (of the Royal Observatory of Belgium) explains the story very well in the middle of this news report: https://www.today.com/video/how-the-earth-sounds-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic-82956358000

Read the full article in Science
doi: 10.1126/science.abd2438

Read More: BC News | Boston Globe |

Here are some of my findings:

Summer research project with @jpulli: Tracking seismic noise and human activity:

Seismograph is at Conte Forum athletics center, near BC parking garage & near traffic on Beacon St. Travel activity is "Mobility Index" from https://t.co/5mIwveh0jN. @seismotom pic.twitter.com/kXGXgY07vB
— Alan Kafka (@Weston_Quakes) June 27, 2020

Seeing effects of recent increase in human activity on seismic background noise at Boston College.

"U.S. Traffic has Rebounded to About 90% of Pre-Pandemic Levels, Analysts Say" (Washington Post)https://t.co/PtsQGwJ4OC @jpulli @seismotom pic.twitter.com/BFw6LUNLcr
— Alan Kafka (@Weston_Quakes) June 22, 2020

Seismic noise @raspishake located near Smithsonian in DC (not far from the White House). Effect of COVID-19 decrease in human activity is very clear.

From Boston College student, John Mekus, calculated with ObsPy software developed by Thomas Lecocq (@seismotom). pic.twitter.com/AYKEzCwWZK
— Alan Kafka (@Weston_Quakes) June 8, 2020

Traffic picking up again on the Merritt Parkway in Wesport, CT?
(Added extra days 5/10/20-5/16/20).@seismotom @jpulli pic.twitter.com/qpbv8PUDX8
— Alan Kafka (@Weston_Quakes) May 17, 2020