As I noted in a recent post, “Silent
Spring,” things have quieted down around the world due to the extreme
isolation measures governments have imposed on their citizens. Empty malls,
empty stores, empty arenas, empty streets…and empty lives…are the rule, not the
exception.
Seismologists
across the planet have noticed. They are observing dramatically less
ambient seismic noise, otherwise known as the vibrations generated by cars,
buses, trucks, trains and people living and working as they had been for many
decades. This has, they say, resulted in the Earth’s upper crust moving a
little less. We’re not talking about the rich and famous (the movers and the
shakers?), but the planet’s actual physical crust. Thomas Lecocq (!), a geologist and seismologist at the Royal
Observatory in Belgium, noted that Brussels has seen a reduction in ambient
seismic noise of between 30% and 50% since social-distancing measures were
imposed in mid-March. Lecocq says this is clear evidence that people are
observing authorities’ warnings to stay inside and avoid traveling. “Everyone
is doing the same. Everyone is respecting the rules,” he added.
Raphael De Plaen (“look, boss, De
Plaen…De Plaen!”), a postdoctoral researcher at Universidad Nacional Autónoma
de México, explained that the seismological data can also be used to identify
areas where containment measures have not been as effective. He stated: "That could be used in the future by
decision makers to figure out, 'OK, we're not doing things right. We need to
work on that and make sure that people respect that because this is in the
interest of everyone.'"
In other words, authorities will
be able to utilize the data to “deal” with those who have not sufficiently
ceased their movements in the eyes of their governments.
“Good Vibrations?” Not anymore.
Even the Beach Boys are slowing down.
Soon, there will be no need to
ask anyone, “What’s shakin’?”
Because every answer would be
the same. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”
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