AI Insight
Lightning strikes generate acoustic energy that travels through the atmosphere and converts into seismic waves upon reaching the ground, creating phenomena called "thunderquakes." These seismic waves propagate through soil and rock layers beneath the Earth's surface. Researchers propose that studying these naturally occurring seismic signals could provide a method for mapping subsurface geological structures.
Why it matters
This technique could offer a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional seismic surveying methods that rely on artificial explosions or vibrations. By leveraging naturally occurring lightning strikes, scientists may be able to study Earth's internal structure in areas where conventional seismic exploration is impractical or too expensive.
Understand the Science
When that energy reaches the ground, some of it is converted into seismic waves that ripple through the soil and rock beneath—“thunderquakes”
Source: How “thunderquakes” could help reveal hidden structures inside the Earth