science ⛈️ Thunderstorms map underground with tiny quakes ⚡
Researchers successfully used thunder as an energy source for seismic tomography to map underground structures. This study was conducted by a Penn State team beneath their University Park campus. They analyzed 458 thunderquakes recorded over roughly two and a half years using a four-kilometer fiber-optic cable. This technique revealed four previously undetected zones of fractured or weakened material beneath the campus. The research proves this method can provide cheap seismic imaging in areas lacking traditional survey access.