Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Abel Stable · 06-30-2003, 07:32 PM

Maybe I should have split these into two threads, but don't think its necessary. Just looking for further information on some things that sparked my interest.

(1) Was half-watching something on the science channel last night when I heard mentioned that about 250 million years ago a fissure 400 km long split open in the crust and spewed lava for...I don't remember how long it was, but its located in modern day Siberia. Anyone know a link with more info?

(2) I came upon this on the JREF page:

Quote:

"Now the human hearing threshold for low frequency sound is around 125 Hz*. This range of sound energy can cause a human to experience a number of ghostly effects, from a cold spooky breeze to breathlessness and rising feelings of fear, with excessive perspiration and shivering. The physiological effects of infra-sound were studied and recorded by NASA scientists in the mid-1970s, and they include watery eyes, visual hallucination, increased muscle tension, quivering in the extremities, and a heightened sense of impending death. Tandy, perhaps inspired by the late hour and solitude, had made the intellectual leap to an explanation by ghostly means.
link
(*I'm guessing this is a typo, since the range of human hearing is 20Hz-20kHz)

Anyone know more about this? Can all very low frequency sounds create this effect, or only certain types? or only with certain people?

All info is appreciated!

Corwin · 06-30-2003, 08:57 PM

The first, I can't help you. Never heard of it.

The second is a pretty well understood issue.... it's called infra-sound. (Sound below the threshold of human hearing.) Various frequencies, (the ones I remember range from 12-15 hz) cause a standing wave pattern in your nerves. Most of the time it isn't enough to actually hurt you.... (I suppose if it was loud enough and you were exposed to it for long enough, it could cause injury.) It can cause all sorts of effects, the most common one being paranoia. (Triggers a fight or flight response in humans.)

Friar Bellows · 06-30-2003, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Abel Stable
Was half-watching something on the science channel last night when I heard mentioned that about 250 million years ago a fissure 400 km long split open in the crust and spewed lava for...I don't remember how long it was, but its located in modern day Siberia. Anyone know a link with more info?

This is one explanation for the Permian-Triassic mass extinction, during which around 90% of marine species and 70% of land vertebrate species disappeared. According to the fossil record, this extinction occurred over a one million year period (but this number is very approximate). Must have been an interesting time on Planet Earth.

See the following web pages for more info:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/li.../l_032_02.html
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permia...tinction_event
http://www.geocities.com/earthhistory/permo.htm

Abel Stable · 06-30-2003, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Corwin:
It can cause all sorts of effects, the most common one being paranoia. (Triggers a fight or flight response in humans.)

Thanks, I did a search and found this page:

Quote:

Infrasonics is the study of sound below the range of human hearing. These low-frequency signals are produced by a variety of geophysical processes including earthquakes, severe weather, volcanic activity, geomagnetic activity, ocean waves, avalanches, turbulence aloft, and meteors and by some man-made sources such as aircraft and explosions.

Which may hint toward that paranoid response, but I don't know any studies on it. Same thing when animals with more sensetive hearing get nervous before earthquakes & etc.

Quote:

Originally posted by Friar Bellows:
Must have been an interesting time on Planet Earth.

No kidding! I'm trying to imagine what a sight that must have been. Sure tops Noah's flood. But actually, when I believed in god, it was nice to know someone was around to just witness these breathtaking scenes. I always expected that when I got to heaven I'd be able to see the highlights tape of the universe. Damn, what a nice daydream that was!

Corwin · 06-30-2003, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Which may hint toward that paranoid response, but I don't know any studies on it. Same thing when animals with more sensetive hearing get nervous before earthquakes & etc.

It's mostly a physiological response.... our nerves just normally don't vibrate that way.

As an aside.... supposedly the Soviets tinkered with it during the cold war.... broadcast it at the american embassy in Moscow to try to discreetly drive people nuts enough to start WWIII.

Could easily just be an urban legend.... but both sides did do stranger things....

markfiend · 07-01-2003, 01:28 AM

Sick Building Syndrome is thought (by some) to be caused by infrasound.

Also I read somewhere that infrasound in the 10-12 hz range can do strange things to your vision; (like seeing people that aren't there...) it's apparently the natural harmonic frequency of the human eyeball.

I am personally of the opinion that a combination of infrasound and magnetic brain stimulation cause most (if not all) "paranormal" experiences.

07-01-2003, 01:28 AM	#6
markfiend Regular Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: The People's Republic of West Yorkshire Posts: 498	Hi, I'm new on the forum Sick Building Syndrome is thought (by some) to be caused by infrasound. Also I read somewhere that infrasound in the 10-12 hz range can do strange things to your vision; (like seeing people that aren't there...) it's apparently the natural harmonic frequency of the human eyeball. I am personally of the opinion that a combination of infrasound and magnetic brain stimulation cause most (if not all) "paranormal" experiences.

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06-30-2003, 08:57 PM	#2
Corwin Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 4,369	The first, I can't help you. Never heard of it. The second is a pretty well understood issue.... it's called infra-sound. (Sound below the threshold of human hearing.) Various frequencies, (the ones I remember range from 12-15 hz) cause a standing wave pattern in your nerves. Most of the time it isn't enough to actually hurt you.... (I suppose if it was loud enough and you were exposed to it for long enough, it could cause injury.) It can cause all sorts of effects, the most common one being paranoia. (Triggers a fight or flight response in humans.)

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