Earth’s 26 Second Pulse Monitored in Scotland

An atypical seismic pulse that’s baffled scientists for decades has resurfaced. Dubbed Earth’s 26-second “heartbeat”. This ongoing signal has been travelling beneath our feet since the 1960s. It is invisible to humanity the entire time, yet visible on seismographs around the world.

In this moment in time, we are observing this signal more rigorously than ever. Thanks to a sensitive monitoring station in a quiet Aberdeenshire field.

A Lasting Mystery

First identified about 60 years ago, the rhythmic pulse is a 26-second pulse. It is classified as a microseism – a subtle seismic wave that does not involve earthquakes, but is real and persistent.

Even with decades of research, scientists haven’t solved the mystery of it’s origins. Speculations have varied from oceanic wave flows in the Gulf of Guinea to small tectonic shifts. All of these have had their merits, but none have gained unanimous support.

The ongoing pulse was given the name Earth’s “heartbeat”. A relatable phrase for a phenomenon that remains one of geology’s most intriguing mysteries.

New Perspectives on an Old Mystery

In order to gain more insight, scientists at the University of Aberdeen have progressed the investigation. A modern piece of monitoring equipment has been placed in the Scottish countryside – one of only two of its kind in the UK.

But it’s not just measuring the 26-second vibration. It’s also measuring something called the Schumann Resonance. It is a different but also interesting range of signals created by lightning strikes.

What is this Schumann Resonance?

The Schumann Resonance is very low frequency electromagnetic waves produced by lightning strikes on the planet, all around the world. The waves reflect between the Earth’s surface and the ionosphere to create a natural wave travelling through the atmosphere.

There are about 50 lightning strikes to the Earth every single second. It generates enough power to keep these low frequency waves travelling for extended periods of time, continuously. Scientists use these frequencies to study weather, climate variation and even cosmic conditions.

Some scientists categorically state that Schumann Resonance may influence health in subtle ways, such as sleep, clarity of mind, emotional wellbeing, etc. However this is an area of conversation and debate among the scientific community.

Why is it important that this piece of equipment is situated in Scotland?

The Scottish countryside is an remote place, just the ideal conditions to makes highly sensitive measurements. With no distracting electronic devices nearby, the remote field allows scientist to detect minute signals from deep inside the Earth and far above it.

The equipment is securely housed in a protective box, which is designed to economically contain the gear and shield it from any environmental conditions and humans. It is currently providing the beginnings of what may eventually help solve the puzzle of the seismic pulse of the Earth.

More than Simple Interest

The study of microseisms and electromagnetic waves goes far beyond solving a prickly old question. Researchers want to learn a lot about Earth’s internal structure, weather systems, and even what perhaps could be early clues of geophysical disturbances like earthquakes or eruptions.
While it seems to be the trending news today, this study shows a growing interest in the hidden messages of our Earth. The Earth constantly sends signals, and every time we take a step, we feel its vibrations, and every time we look up, we see its electric signs – sometimes we just have to learn how to listen.

Conclusion

The 26-second pulse and the Schumann Resonance are some of the strangest things about Earth and the least understood. The researchers in Scotland may be getting to a point using cutting-edge equipment, a different way of looking at the work, that helps us understand the meaning of these signals in nature and their implications. The pulse of our planet may soon move from an enigma to a powerful device for understanding the future of Earth.