Urban seismic monitoring in Brasília, Brazil

A novel analysis of seismic data from Brasília, Brazil, reveals that cultural noise—typically observed in high-frequency bands—can also manifest in low-frequency bands when high-frequency signals are attenuated. This discovery expands the understanding of urban seismology by demonstrating its potential for monitoring societal activities and events, such as sporting events, political protests, and periods of seismic silence like the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine or a nationwide trucker strike. The study utilized seismic records from a local station to track noise patterns during these episodes, highlighting the utility of ambient noise monitoring in connecting seismology with urban dynamics.

Maciel, S. T. R., Rocha, M. P., & Schimmel, M. (2021). Urban seismic monitoring in Brasília, Brazil. Plos One, 16(8), e0253610. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0253610