What does infrasonic mean?
Infrasonic refers to sounds with frequencies lower than 20 Hz, below the range of human hearing. These low-frequency sounds can be felt or detected by instruments, and are used in various fields such as seismology to study earthquakes and the Earth's interior. Infrasonic sounds can also be generated by natural phenomena like storms or volcanic eruptions, and by human activities like industrial operations. Understanding infrasonic sounds is important for monitoring and mitigating their potential impacts on the environment and human health. The term is commonly used in technical and scientific contexts.
adjectiveInfrasonic refers to sounds that have frequencies lower than the lower limit of human hearing, typically considered to be below 20 Hz.
- Describing sounds below human hearing range
"The infrasonic rumble of the earthquake was felt by animals but not heard by humans."
"The infrasonic noise from the industrial site was a concern for nearby residents."
"Infrasonic waves can be used to study the Earth's interior."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of infrasonic
The word 'infrasonic' is derived from the Latin prefix 'infra-', meaning 'below', and 'sonic', relating to sound. It was first used in the mid-20th century to describe sounds below the threshold of human hearing.
How infrasonic is actually used
Often used in scientific and technical contexts to describe phenomena that are not audible to humans.