Three quick questions for Ken Mattson
Hi Ken, on Wednesday, 30th November, you will be giving a lecture at the Humanist Theatre from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. What will your lecture be about?
- I will be talking about infrasound in general: what it is, how it is created, and why it is relevant. Specifically, I will address infrasound from wind turbines and volcanoes. We have been out measuring infrasound around various wind farms in Sweden. What Gustav (my former PhD student) and I have developed is a computational tool that can calculate how infrasound (and other sounds) propagate over large areas in society.
What is infrasound and how does it differ from other types of sound?
- Infrasound is sound with a frequency below 20 Hz. It is normally not perceptible to the ear, but it can affect animals and humans (negatively) if the levels are sufficiently high. What makes infrasound special is that it travels very far, as it is barely attenuated by the atmosphere, ground, or walls. It can pass straight through walls without significant attenuation. Sounds with higher frequencies are attenuated by the atmosphere and bounce off walls.
Who is welcome to attend?
- Everyone is welcome to listen. For those who cannot attend the lecture, there is also a podcast where I discuss all of this and show some results.
Are you curious about how sound waves that we cannot hear still affect us? Come and listen to Ken Mattsson as he explores the phenomenon of infrasound in an exciting lecture! Free admission! However, seats are limited, so arrive early. The lecture will be held in Swedish
PODCAST (in Swedish): Professor Ken Mattsson om infraljud, vindkraft och dess eventuella påverkan på människor