Article - Infrasound Waves
Infrasound Waves
written by: Kelly
One of the more obscure aspects of paranormal research is the presence of infrasound waves. Defined as standing waves of ultra low-frequencies, this relatively unremarkable occurrence has been proven causal to a number of sensations often described as personal paranormal experiences. There are several schools of thought to explore on the subject, as in many cases one can not conclude the exact cause of the ISW; and even if the origin of such a factor is positively determined, it’s presence is merely one element of a more complex investigation. ISW can, however, play as important a role in discovering the root cause of a normal event as it can in establishing the validity of one truly paranormal.
Generally speaking, humans can hear noise which registers at a minimum of 20Hz. This is not, however, synonymous with only detecting noises which register a minimum of 20Hz- sound waves that lie outside of our normal, unaided range can have documentable effects on both the body and psyche of an individual. In much the same way electromagnetic radiation can effect those who are sensitive to it’s influence, infrasound waves can cause nausea, heightened/unexplained emotions, and even the feeling of an unexplained presence. Aside from psychological responses to such exposure, some ISW stimuli have triggered very real physical responses to their resonance- such as formless images seen by the subject as a result of exposure to frequencies that mimic the resonant frequency of the human eye (and other sensory organs as established by NASA). In cases of extreme exposure, there have been reports of equipment being shaken or physically moved as a result of exposure to sounds outside of the audible range- although such dramatic, poltergeist-like activity is usually coupled with equally dramatic effects on the people subjected (such as pain in the ears or head). It is particularly interesting to bear in mind, as one examines the multitude of random, very real perceptions that some of these frequencies can have on multiple sensory organs in the observer, that we possess a tendency to attribute pattern to random events. More intriguingly, such sounds are emitted by many natural and manmade sources such as biological functions of the body, machinery (especially that in poor repair), wildlife, and a host of other common environmental components. Additionally, due to the nature of infrasound waves these sounds are capable of traveling through objects, and much farther from their source (without dissipating) than the sounds commonly heard by the unaided ear (making their origin theoretically more difficult to detect).
While reliable, precise detection of such sound waves seems to be costly at the moment, it is in constant use in modern weather/geological science, specifically in equipment such as barometers and seismographs. It is also a main component in many of the more advanced home security systems. While the presence of such interference would not necessarily negate a haunting event, the reality that this explanation of uncomfortable feelings (similar to well-known EMF-sensitivity) can also result in actual perceived images and physical displacement of objects is an aspect which must be explored if paranormal activity/evidence is to withstand any real scientific scrutiny.
For further reading on the phenomenon, an abundance of case studies are available ranging from the debunking of paranormal activity to weapons-based research on the effects of variable ISW on the human body.