08 · Animals · in-depth guide

Jellyfish, storms, and infrasound

A long HERD article for first-time readers: why jellyfish may sense an approaching storm, where massive swarms hurt resorts and power plants, and what a gentle acoustic barrier means. Grounded in 150 sources.

Library → Jellyfish and storms

Sailors have long noticed jellyfish moving away from shore before bad weather. That is not necessarily weather forecasting — but jellyfish have balance organs, and storms create very low sound waves that travel far through water. Put biology, physics, and real intake failures together and you get a story you can test.

Ten sections below, from simple to detailed. We explain unfamiliar terms the first time they appear and label open questions as hypotheses. At the end: the full bibliography with search.

Risk map Infrastructure Acoustics HERD Jellyfish R&D →

Watch: Jellyfish Acoustics

A short HERD film: how jellyfish sense low-frequency sound, why blooms hit resorts and intakes, and what a gentle acoustic corridor could mean. The full wiki continues below.

How a jellyfish senses water

Around the bell margin, jellyfish have tiny balance organs called statocysts — sometimes described as an “ear without a brain.” Inside are mineral grains and hair-like sensors that respond to tilt, current, and bumps in the water.

Lab work shows that very low frequencies (infrasound) can affect that sensitive tissue. That is why researchers ask whether a jellyfish can “hear” a distant storm long before surface waves arrive — reliability still needs field tests.

Jellyfish balance organ diagram
Balance organ: mineral grains press on sensitive hairs — the jellyfish feels tilt and water movement.

Storms, low sound, and moving offshore

Storm fronts create infrasound — sound below what humans usually hear — that can travel tens of kilometers through air and water. People often feel it as pressure or a deep rumble, not ordinary noise.

What is fairly solid: jellyfish respond to very low frequencies. What is still a hypothesis: they use that signal to forecast storms and leave in time — that must be checked coast by coast.

Jellyfish moving offshore before a storm
Hypothesis: storm's low sounds may reach jellyfish before clouds appear.
Knowledge boundary

We separate checked facts from working guesses — clearer for readers and fairer for science.

Mass swarms around the world

Jellyfish blooms — sudden masses of millions of animals — do not rise everywhere at the same rate. But in many seas they repeat more often when warming, nutrient pollution, overfishing, and coastal change overlap.

For resorts and power operators the practical question is simpler: does it happen again and again at your intake, season after season?

Quick facts

Map of risky coasts

Below are 18 planetary regions where jellyfish swarms keep coming back. Priority A: Andaman, Japan, Israel, northern Australia, Mexico; B: Brazil, Caribbean, Mediterranean; C: historical and watch zones.

Map of risky coasts worldwide
Three priority levels (A highest): from Andaman to Mexico, Brazil and the Caribbean — where HERD runs pilots and talks with resorts and utilities.
RegionTierTypical speciesImpact
Andaman: Phuket / Krabi / Phang Nga (TH)Tier A (high)Aurelia, cubozoaTourism, hotels, desal, marinas
Gulf of Thailand (Samui, Pattaya)Tier A (high)Aurelia, RhizostomaBeaches, mariculture
East Coast TH (Rayong-Trat)Tier A (high)AureliaIndustrial cooling water
Seto Inland Sea / Osaka Bay (JP)Tier A (high)Nemopilema nomuraiFisheries, intakes
Sea of Japan (Fukui, Shimane)Tier A (high)Nemopilema, AureliaNuclear intake incidents
Yellow / East China Sea (CN, KR)Tier B (medium)Nemopilema, CyaneaLarge blooms, energy risk
Western Mediterranean (ES, FR, IT)Tier B (medium)Rhizostoma, Pelagia noctilucaTourism, fisheries
Adriatic coastTier B (medium)RhizostomaMarinas, beaches
Israel Med coast (Ashkelon, Hadera desal)Tier A (high)Rhopilema nomadica, AureliaDesal intakes, water security
North Australia (QLD, NT, WA — stinger coast)Tier A (high)Chironex fleckeri, IrukandjiBox jellyfish, yachting, stinger season
US Gulf / East CoastTier C (watch)Sea nettle, MnemiopsisFisheries, plant operation
Black Sea / Sea of AzovTier C (watch)Mnemiopsis leidyiHistorical ecosystem collapse
Irish Sea / UK westTier C (watch)Various speciesTourism and pilot monitoring
Malta / Eastern Med islandsTier C (watch)RhizostomaDesal + tourism
West Africa (Benguela)Tier C (watch)Large scyphozoansFisheries pressure
Mexico Gulf & Yucatán (Veracruz, Cancún, Campeche)Tier A (high)Aurelia, Tamoya, StomolophusTourism, PEMEX cooling, cruises
Brazil SE coast (Santos, Rio, São Paulo state)Tier B (medium)Lychnorhiza, Olindias, AureliaBeaches, Angra nuclear, fisheries
Caribbean (Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Dominican Rep.)Tier B (medium)Aurelia, Cassiopea, cubozoaTourism, cruise ports, island desal
🇮🇱 Israel: desalination under bloom pressure

The Mediterranean coast is one of the world's most desal-dependent regions. Summer swarms of Rhopilema nomadica and Aurelia have repeatedly clogged seawater intakes at plants such as Ashkelon and Hadera. The 2019 event shut water supply for hours. For a water-stressed country this is not a beach nuisance — it is water and energy security. Tier A for HERD utility pilots.

🇦🇺 Northern Australia: box jellyfish and Irukandji

Queensland, the Northern Territory and WA are home to Chironex fleckeri and the tiny but deadly Irukandji. Stinger season closes the water for half the year; nets and stinger suits are standard. The coastline runs for thousands of kilometres — premium yachting, resorts, guest safety in wild tropical bays. A humane LF barrier is both a medical and commercial case — jellyfish R&D.

🇲🇽 Mexico: Gulf, Yucatán and HERD LATAM

Veracruz, Cancún and Campeche — Aurelia, Tamoya and egg-yolk Stomolophus: beaches, PEMEX cooling and cruises. HERD LATAM starts here — Popocatépetl pilot plus coasts where blooms hit tourism and infrastructure.

🇧🇷 Brazil: SE coast from Santos to Rio

Summer blooms of Lychnorhiza and Olindias close São Paulo and Rio beaches. Nearby: Angra nuclear and one of Latin America's busiest ports. Monitoring plus gentle acoustics is a natural pilot for resorts and utilities.

🏝 Caribbean: cruises, islands, cubomedusa

Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic — Aurelia, upside-down Cassiopea and cubomedusa at busy beaches. Cruise ports and island desalination turn blooms into infrastructure risk, not exotic sea life.

Power plants and seawater intakes

Coastal nuclear and thermal plants and desalination plants pump millions of liters through screens and filters. A dense jellyfish swarm can clog them within hours — throughput drops and shutdown risk rises.

That has happened in Japan, the UK, Sweden, Israel, and northern Australia — from nuclear intakes to beach closures in stinger season.

YearSiteCountryConsequence
2011Shimane Nuclear PPJapanCooling-water restriction
2011Torness Nuclear PPUKTemporary shutdown
2013Oskarshamn Nuclear PPSwedenMajor reactor stop
2019Desalination plantIsraelIntake clogging
2023Northern beaches (QLD/NT)AustraliaBeach closures, stinger season
2021TornessUKRepeat jellyfish event
2024-2025Multiple coastal plantsChinaRegional bloom pressure
Jellyfish-clogged seawater intake
Power plant or desal intake: a dense swarm can become an emergency within hours.

Key species

Aurelia aurita moon jellyfish
Aurelia aurita

Mass swarms — reputational and infrastructure damage at beaches and intakes.

Rhizostoma Mediterranean barrel jellyfish
Rhizostoma / Cotylorhiza

Typical Mediterranean bloom species — large barrel jellies near resorts.

Rhopilema nomadica swarm near desal intake
Rhopilema nomadica

Invasive species on Israel and Levant coasts — summer swarms clog desal intakes.

Nemopilema nomurai giant jellyfish
Nemopilema nomurai

Giant blooms in East Asia — fisheries and water intakes at risk.

Chironex fleckeri box jellyfish
Chironex / Irukandji

High medical risk — northern Australia, stinger season, yachting safety.

Pelagia noctiluca mauve stinger
Pelagia noctiluca

Frequent painful stings in Mediterranean tourist zones.

Sound: what is proven

Low-frequency sensitivity in jellyfish is documented. At fish intakes, tuned acoustic deterrents already work well when frequency and level are chosen carefully.

The open jellyfish question: can you gently steer a swarm aside without damaging balance organs? That is the core testable idea behind HERD.

Gentle sound barrier concept
HERD idea: a quiet low-frequency field at the intake — steer jellyfish away without killing them.

How people cope today

MethodProsCons
Physical netsReliable nearshore barrierCostly and maintenance-heavy
Bubble curtainsUseful hydrodynamic exclusionEnergy intensive, site-specific
Mechanical removalFast short-term reductionLethal and ecologically controversial
Fish AFD systemsMature evidence for fishNot calibrated for jellyfish
HERD LF barrierPotentially humane and scalableStill in R&D

HERD network

HERD proposes two steps: low-cost coastal sensors catch early signs of swarming, then trials of a gentle sound “corridor” to steer jellyfish away from intakes.

The aim is practical risk management for resorts, ports, and utilities before beaches close or plants trip offline.

HERD sensor deployment by boat and drone
Field setup: small boat, industrial drone, and a waterproof sensor on rock or buoy.

Infrasound & jellyfish — extended bibliography · 150 sources

This is the project's largest bibliography — jellyfish, infrasound, and bioacoustics together — part of the HERD library of 272 sources. Each paper gets a short plain-language note. Search by title, author, topic, or tag.

150
Sources 1-75
  1. peer-reviewed Sole M. et al. (2016). Evidence of Cnidarians sensitivity to sound after exposure to low frequency noise. Scientific Reports. link

    Experimental evidence that cnidarians (jellyfish, corals) detect or respond to low-frequency sound.

  2. peer-reviewed Wang R. et al. (2021). Jellyfish otolith-inspired MEMS vector hydrophone for low-frequency detection. Microsystems and Nanoengineering. link

    Bio-inspired MEMS hydrophone design modeled on jellyfish statocysts for low-frequency underwater sensing.

  3. review Purcell J.E., Uye S., Lo W.T. (2007). Anthropogenic causes of jellyfish blooms and their direct consequences for humans. Marine Ecology Progress Series. link

    Review linking human activities (fishing, eutrophication, climate) to jellyfish blooms and societal impacts.

  4. peer-reviewed Maes J. et al. (2004). Field evaluation of a sound system to reduce estuarine fish intake rates at a power plant cooling water inlet. Journal of Fish Biology. link

    Jellyfish or debris blocking power-plant cooling-water intakes — field tests, incidents, or management guidance.

  5. peer-reviewed Sonny D. et al. (2006). Reactions of cyprinids to infrasound at a nuclear power plant cooling-water inlet. Journal of Fish Biology. link

    Jellyfish or debris blocking power-plant cooling-water intakes — field tests, incidents, or management guidance.

  6. peer-reviewed Woith H., Petersen G.M., Hainzl S., Dahm T. (2018). Can Animals Predict Earthquakes? Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America. link

    Critical review of claims that animals (including marine species) can forecast earthquakes.

  7. org EPRI (2017). Cooling Water Intake Debris Management: Jellyfish and Jellyfish-Like Organisms. Electric Power Research Institute. link

    Jellyfish or debris blocking power-plant cooling-water intakes — field tests, incidents, or management guidance.

  8. history Spangenberg D.B. (1986). Statocyst structure and function in Cnidaria. Fortschritte der Zoologie.

    Balance organ (statocyst) structure and function in gelatinous zooplankton and related invertebrates.

  9. review Tiemann H. et al. (2009). Gelatinous zooplankton statocyst and sensory biology overview. Marine Ecology.

    Balance organ (statocyst) structure and function in gelatinous zooplankton and related invertebrates.

  10. peer-reviewed Mooney T.A. et al. (2010). Ontogeny of hearing in the squid Loligo pealeii. Biological Bulletin. link

    Peer-reviewed research paper on the topic cited above. Focus: «Ontogeny of hearing in the squid Loligo pealeii».

  11. peer-reviewed Budelmann B.U. (1979). Hair cell responses in the octopus statocyst. Journal of Comparative Physiology.

    Balance organ (statocyst) structure and function in gelatinous zooplankton and related invertebrates.

  12. review Bedard A.J., Georges T.M. (2000). Atmospheric Infrasound. Physics Today. link

    Introductory overview of atmospheric infrasound sources, propagation, and monitoring.

  13. peer-reviewed Elbing B.R., Petrin C.E., Van Den Broeke M.S. (2019). Measurement and characterization of infrasound from a tornado-producing storm. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. link

    Infrasound generated by severe storms, tornadoes, or thunderstorm vortices.

  14. peer-reviewed Waxler R., Gilbert K.E. (2006). The radiation of atmospheric microbaroms by ocean waves. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. link

    Microbaroms — continuous infrasound from ocean surface waves interacting with the atmosphere.

  15. peer-reviewed Condon R.H. et al. (2013). Recurrent jellyfish blooms are a consequence of global oscillations. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. link

    Large-scale drivers of recurring jellyfish blooms (climate oscillations, fishing, eutrophication).

  16. review Richardson A.J. et al. (2009). The jellyfish joyride: causes, consequences and management responses to a more gelatinous future. Trends in Ecology and Evolution. link

    Policy-oriented review of rising jellyfish dominance in marine ecosystems and management options.

  17. peer-reviewed Sanz-Martin M. et al. (2018). Claims that anthropogenic stressors facilitate jellyfish blooms have been amplified beyond the available evidence. Frontiers in Marine Science. link

    Review linking human activities (fishing, eutrophication, climate) to jellyfish blooms and societal impacts.

  18. media Gershwin L. (2013). Stung! On Jellyfish Blooms and the Future of the Ocean. University of Chicago Press.

    News report or book on jellyfish swarms shutting nuclear plants, desalination, or coastal infrastructure.

  19. media Sixth Tone (2024). Gridlocked: When Jellyfish Brought a China Power Plant to Its Knees. Sixth Tone. link

    News report or book on jellyfish swarms shutting nuclear plants, desalination, or coastal infrastructure.

  20. review Graham W.M. et al. (2014). Linking human well-being and jellyfish ecosystem services and disservices. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability. link

    Ecosystem services jellyfish provide (carbon cycling, food web links) alongside their nuisances.

  21. org European Commission (2011). EcoJel project: jellyfish occurrence and management in the Irish Sea. European Union Regional Policy. link

    Jellyfish biology, blooms, impacts, or management in coastal and open-ocean systems.

  22. review Uye S. (2008). Blooms of the giant jellyfish Nemopilema nomurai in the East Asian marginal seas: review and synthesis. Plankton and Benthos Research. link

    Ecology and fisheries impacts of giant Nomura's jellyfish (Nemopilema nomurai) in East Asian seas.

  23. media NHK News (2011). Jellyfish affected cooling-water intake operation at Shimane nuclear station. NHK archives.

    Jellyfish or debris blocking power-plant cooling-water intakes — field tests, incidents, or management guidance.

  24. peer-reviewed Dong J. et al. (2010). Bloom dynamics of jellyfish in the Yellow Sea and East China Sea. Progress in Natural Science.

    Trends, causes, or ecosystem effects of increasing jellyfish populations and blooms worldwide.

  25. review Boero F. et al. (2016). Jellyfish surge in the Mediterranean Sea: threat or opportunity? Mediterranean Marine Science. link

    Operational guidance or monitoring programs for jellyfish in Mediterranean, Black Sea, or NOAA waters.

  26. media The Times of Israel (2019). Jellyfish clog desalination plant intake systems during summer blooms. The Times of Israel. link

    Jellyfish or debris blocking power-plant cooling-water intakes — field tests, incidents, or management guidance.

  27. peer-reviewed Fenner P.J., Williamson J.A., Burnett J.W. (2010). Irukandji and Chironex box jellyfish envenomation. Wilderness and Environmental Medicine. link

    Medical and ecological aspects of dangerous box jellyfish (Chironex, Irukandji) in Australia and tropics.

  28. peer-reviewed Brodeur R.D. et al. (2002). Rise and fall of jellyfish in the eastern Bering Sea in relation to climate regime shifts. Progress in Oceanography. link

    How climate change and ocean warming influence jellyfish bloom formation.

  29. peer-reviewed Kideys A.E. (2002). Fall and rise of the Black Sea ecosystem and the anchovy fishery: effects of gelatinous zooplankton on marine food webs. Marine Ecology Progress Series. link

    How gelatinous zooplankton reshaped Black Sea food webs and collapsed anchovy fisheries.

  30. review Pitt K.A., Lucas C.H. (2014). Jellyfish Blooms. Springer. link

    Trends, causes, or ecosystem effects of increasing jellyfish populations and blooms worldwide.

  31. peer-reviewed Brotz L. et al. (2012). Increasing jellyfish populations: trends in large marine ecosystems. Hydrobiologia. link

    Trends, causes, or ecosystem effects of increasing jellyfish populations and blooms worldwide.

  32. peer-reviewed Brotz L. et al. (2012). Global analysis of jellyfish fisheries and blooms. Marine Biology. link

    Trends, causes, or ecosystem effects of increasing jellyfish populations and blooms worldwide.

  33. media BBC News (2011). Torness nuclear power station shut after jellyfish swarm. BBC. link

    News report or book on jellyfish swarms shutting nuclear plants, desalination, or coastal infrastructure.

  34. media The Guardian (2013). Swedish reactor at Oskarshamn shut by jellyfish. The Guardian. link

    News report or book on jellyfish swarms shutting nuclear plants, desalination, or coastal infrastructure.

  35. media Energy Voice (2020). Drones and imaging tested for jellyfish early warning at cooling intakes. Energy Voice. link

    Jellyfish biology, blooms, impacts, or management in coastal and open-ocean systems.

  36. peer-reviewed Burnett J.W., Gable W.D. (1989). A fatal jellyfish envenomation by Chironex fleckeri. Toxicon. link

    Medical and ecological aspects of dangerous box jellyfish (Chironex, Irukandji) in Australia and tropics.

  37. review Popper A.N., Hawkins A.D. (2019). An overview of fish bioacoustics and the impacts of anthropogenic sounds. Journal of Fish Biology. link

    Overview of fish hearing and impacts of human-made underwater noise on fish.

  38. org State Intellectual Property Office of China (2017). CN106973350A: Infrasound jellyfish repelling device. CN Patent. link

    How fish react to infrasound near industrial intakes; basis for acoustic fish deterrent (AFD) systems.

  39. review Nestler J.M. et al. (1992). Behavior barriers and fish guidance systems at water intakes. American Fisheries Society Symposium.

    Jellyfish or debris blocking power-plant cooling-water intakes — field tests, incidents, or management guidance.

  40. peer-reviewed Lo W.T. et al. (2008). Population outbreaks of jellyfish and links to environmental change around Taiwan. Fisheries Science.

    Trends, causes, or ecosystem effects of increasing jellyfish populations and blooms worldwide.

  41. peer-reviewed Arai M.N. (2009). The potential importance of podocysts to the formation of scyphozoan blooms: a review. Hydrobiologia. link

    Peer-reviewed research paper on the topic cited above. Focus: «The potential importance of podocysts to the formation of scyphozoan blooms: a review».

  42. review Purcell J.E. (2012). Jellyfish and ctenophore blooms coincide with human proliferations and environmental perturbations. Annual Review of Marine Science. link

    Trends, causes, or ecosystem effects of increasing jellyfish populations and blooms worldwide.

  43. review Lucas C.H., Gelcich S., Uye S., Brotz L. (2014). Gelatinous zooplankton and ecosystem services. Advances in Marine Biology. link

    Review article summarizing current knowledge on the cited topic. Focus: «Gelatinous zooplankton and ecosystem services».

  44. peer-reviewed Canepa A., Fuentes V., Sabates A., Piraino S., Boero F. (2014). Pelagia noctiluca in Mediterranean coastal systems and implications for tourism and fisheries. Marine Biology.

    Pelagia noctiluca blooms in the Mediterranean — tourism, fisheries, and ecosystem effects.

  45. review Hays G.C., Doyle T.K., Houghton J.D.R. (2018). A paradigm shift in jellyfish research priorities. Frontiers in Marine Science. link

    Jellyfish biology, blooms, impacts, or management in coastal and open-ocean systems.

  46. org FAO (2018). Jellyfish fisheries and aquaculture in Asia: status and prospects. Food and Agriculture Organization. link

    Interactions between jellyfish and fisheries — predation, bycatch, or economic losses.

  47. peer-reviewed Kawahara M., Uye S., Ohtsu K., Iizumi H. (2006). Unusual population explosion of the giant jellyfish Nemopilema nomurai in East Asian waters. Plankton and Benthos Research. link

    Ecology and fisheries impacts of giant Nomura's jellyfish (Nemopilema nomurai) in East Asian seas.

  48. peer-reviewed Sand O., Enger P.S., Karlsen H.E. (2000). Detection of infrasound and linear acceleration in fish and behavioral avoidance responses. Journal of Experimental Biology. link

    How fish react to infrasound near industrial intakes; basis for acoustic fish deterrent (AFD) systems.

  49. org GFCM and FAO (2013). Review of jellyfish blooms in the Mediterranean and Black Sea. GFCM Studies and Reviews. link

    How gelatinous zooplankton reshaped Black Sea food webs and collapsed anchovy fisheries.

  50. review Graham W.M., Martin D.L., Felder D.L., Asper V.L., Perry H.M. (2003). Ecological and economic implications of gelatinous zooplankton blooms. Marine Ecology Progress Series. link

    Review article summarizing current knowledge on the cited topic. Focus: «Ecological and economic implications of gelatinous zooplankton blooms».

  51. peer-reviewed Bedard A.J. (2005). Low-frequency atmospheric acoustic energy associated with vortices produced by thunderstorms. Monthly Weather Review. link

    Infrasound generated by severe storms, tornadoes, or thunderstorm vortices.

  52. peer-reviewed Marchetti E., Ripepe M., Ulivieri G., Kogelnig A. (2015). Infrasound array criteria for automatic detection and front velocity estimation of snow avalanches. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences. link

    Infrasound arrays for automatic avalanche detection and front-velocity estimation in mountains.

  53. peer-reviewed Mayer S., van Herwijnen A., Ulivieri G., Schweizer J. (2020). Evaluating the performance of an operational infrasound avalanche detection system. Cold Regions Science and Technology. link

    Infrasound arrays for automatic avalanche detection and front-velocity estimation in mountains.

  54. org Wyssen Avalanche Control AG (2024). IDA Infrasound Detection System for avalanches. Wyssen technical documentation. link

    Infrasound arrays for automatic avalanche detection and front-velocity estimation in mountains.

  55. review van Kamp I., van den Berg F. (2018). Health effects related to wind turbine sound, including low-frequency sound and infrasound. Acoustics Australia. link

    Scientific review of health complaints vs. wind-turbine low-frequency sound and infrasound exposure.

  56. review McCunney R.J., Mundt K.A., Colby W.D., Dobie R., Kaliski K., Blais M. (2014). Wind turbines and health: a critical review of the scientific literature. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. link

    Scientific review of health complaints vs. wind-turbine low-frequency sound and infrasound exposure.

  57. org JASON Advisory Group (2018). An analysis of hypotheses related to embassy health incidents. U.S. Department of State report. link

    Investigation of reported sonic/infrasonic embassy incidents (Havana syndrome) and alternative explanations.

  58. peer-reviewed Stubbs A.L., Montealegre-Z F. (2019). Recording of sonic attacks on U.S. diplomats in Cuba spectrally matches the calling song of a Caribbean cricket. bioRxiv. link

    Investigation of reported sonic/infrasonic embassy incidents (Havana syndrome) and alternative explanations.

  59. org Raspberry Shake S.A. (2026). Raspberry Shake and Boom citizen seismo-acoustic network. Raspberry Shake. link

    Citizen seismo-acoustic network hardware (Raspberry Shake/Boom) for low-cost ground and air monitoring.

  60. org Bosch Sensortec (2026). BMP388 high-accuracy barometric pressure sensor. Product documentation. link

    High-accuracy barometric MEMS sensor (BMP388 class) usable for infrasound and microbarom studies.

  61. org ARISE Consortium (2026). Atmospheric dynamics Research InfraStructure in Europe. ARISE project. link

    ARISE European research infrastructure integrating infrasound, lidar, and radar for atmospheric dynamics.

  62. review Fee D., Matoza R.S. (2013). An overview of volcano infrasound: from Hawaiian to Plinian, local to global. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research. link

    Using infrasound to detect, locate, and warn of volcanic eruptions from local to global scale.

  63. review Watson L.M., Matoza R.S., Fee D., et al. (2022). Volcano infrasound: progress and future directions. Bulletin of Volcanology. link

    Using infrasound to detect, locate, and warn of volcanic eruptions from local to global scale.

  64. peer-reviewed Moller H., Pedersen C.S. (2004). Hearing at low and infrasonic frequencies. Noise and Health. link

    Peer-reviewed research paper on the topic cited above. Focus: «Hearing at low and infrasonic frequencies».

  65. peer-reviewed Ardhuin F., Stutzmann E., Schimmel M., Mangeney A. (2011). Ocean wave sources of seismic noise. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans. link

    Peer-reviewed research paper on the topic cited above. Focus: «Ocean wave sources of seismic noise».

  66. peer-reviewed Langbauer W.R., Payne K.B., Charif R.A., Rapaport L., Osborn F. (1991). African elephants respond to distant playbacks of low-frequency conspecific calls. Journal of Experimental Biology. link

    How elephants use low-frequency calls and ground-borne vibrations for communication and navigation.

  67. peer-reviewed Garstang M. et al. (2005). The daily cycle of low-frequency elephant calls and near-surface atmospheric conditions. Earth Interactions. link

    Peer-reviewed research paper on the topic cited above. Focus: «The daily cycle of low-frequency elephant calls and near-surface atmospheric conditions».

  68. peer-reviewed Edwards W.N., Brown P.G., ReVelle D.O. (2006). Estimates of meteoroid kinetic energies from observations of infrasonic airwaves. Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics. link

    Estimating meteoroid energy and trajectory from infrasonic airwaves of bolides and fireballs.

  69. peer-reviewed McDonald M.A., Hildebrand J.A., Mesnick S. (2009). Worldwide decline in tonal frequencies of blue whale songs. Endangered Species Research. link

    Blue/fin whale vocalizations, source levels, propagation, or long-term song frequency trends.

  70. peer-reviewed Hedlin M.A.H., Alcoverro B., D'Spain G. (2003). Evaluation of rosette infrasonic noise-reducing spatial filters. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. link

    Spatial filter designs (rosette arrays) to reduce wind noise in infrasound measurements.

  71. peer-reviewed Assink J.D., Averbuch G., Shani-Kadmiel S., Smets P., Evers L. (2018). A seismo-acoustic analysis of the 2017 North Korean nuclear test. Seismological Research Letters. link

    Joint seismic and infrasound analysis locating and characterizing underground nuclear explosions.

  72. peer-reviewed Anderson J.F., Johnson J.B., Bowman D.C., Ronan T.J. (2018). The Gem infrasound logger and custom-built instrumentation. Seismological Research Letters. link

    Low-cost infrasound logger hardware (Gem and similar) for field and educational monitoring.

  73. peer-reviewed Marcillo O., Johnson J.B., Hart D. (2012). An inexpensive low-power low-noise infrasound sensor for local and regional monitoring. Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology. link

    Design of affordable, low-power infrasound sensors for dense local and regional networks.

  74. peer-reviewed Clive M.A. et al. (2024). Crowdsourcing human observations expands and enhances volcano monitoring records. Communications Earth and Environment. link

    Combining citizen observations with instrument data to improve volcano monitoring records.

  75. peer-reviewed Cansi Y. (1995). An automatic seismic event processing for detection and location: the PMCC method. Geophysical Research Letters. link

    PMCC algorithm — standard method for detecting and locating infrasonic phases on array data.

Sources 76-150
  1. peer-reviewed Vergoz J. et al. (2022). International Monitoring System infrasound data products for atmospheric studies and civilian applications. Earth System Science Data. link

    CTBTO International Monitoring System infrasound stations and open data for science and civil use.

  2. peer-reviewed Kubota T., Saito T., Nishida K. (2022). Global fast-traveling tsunamis driven by atmospheric Lamb waves on the 2022 Tonga eruption. Science. link

    Global seismo-acoustic signals from the 2022 Hunga Tonga eruption — Lamb waves and tsunamis.

  3. peer-reviewed Streby H.M. et al. (2015). Tornadic storm avoidance behavior in breeding songbirds. Current Biology. link

    Birds detecting distant severe weather via infrasound and evacuating breeding sites before tornadoes.

  4. peer-reviewed Bishop J.W. et al. (2022). Deep learning categorization of infrasound array data. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. link

    Machine-learning classification of infrasound array recordings for automated event detection.

  5. peer-reviewed Jesus M.C. et al. (2024). Low-cost small-aperture arrays improve infrasound monitoring in the Azores. Pure and Applied Geophysics. link

    Affordable infrasound arrays or mobile platforms (INFRA-EAR, small-aperture) for regional monitoring.

  6. peer-reviewed Den Ouden O.F.C., Assink J.D., Oudshoorn C.D., Filippi D., Evers L.G. (2021). The INFRA-EAR low-cost mobile infrasound platform. Atmospheric Measurement Techniques. link

    Affordable infrasound arrays or mobile platforms (INFRA-EAR, small-aperture) for regional monitoring.

  7. peer-reviewed Lamb O.D. et al. (2021). Assessing Raspberry Shake and Boom sensors for recording African elephant vocalizations. Frontiers in Conservation Science. link

    Citizen seismo-acoustic network hardware (Raspberry Shake/Boom) for low-cost ground and air monitoring.

  8. peer-reviewed Brissaud Q. et al. (2021). First detection of an earthquake from a balloon using its acoustic signature. Geophysical Research Letters. link

    Detecting earthquakes from high-altitude balloon recordings of acoustic signatures.

  9. peer-reviewed Ravanelli M. et al. (2023). Tsunami and Lamb-wave ionospheric signatures from the 2022 Tonga eruption. Pure and Applied Geophysics. link

    Global seismo-acoustic signals from the 2022 Hunga Tonga eruption — Lamb waves and tsunamis.

  10. review Duarte C.M. et al. (2021). The soundscape of the Anthropocene ocean. Science. link

    Review of human-made and natural ocean soundscapes in the Anthropocene era.

  11. review Woith H., Petersen G.M., Hainzl S., Dahm T. (2018). Earthquake prediction by animals revisited: evidence standards and limitations. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America. link

    Review article summarizing current knowledge on the cited topic. Focus: «Earthquake prediction by animals revisited: evidence standards and limitations».

  12. peer-reviewed Allen R.M. et al. (2025). Global earthquake detection and warning using Android phones. Science. link

    Using smartphone accelerometers globally for earthquake detection and early warning.

  13. peer-reviewed Johnson J.B. et al. (2023). Infrasound detection of approaching lahars. Scientific Reports. link

    Infrasound signatures of approaching lahars (volcanic mudflows) for early warning.

  14. peer-reviewed Marchetti E. et al. (2019). Infrasound array analysis of debris-flow activity and implications for early warning. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface. link

    Infrasound monitoring of debris flows for hazard early warning in mountains.

  15. peer-reviewed Crichton F., Dodd G., Schmid G., Gamble G., Petrie K.J. (2014). The link between health complaints and wind turbines: support for the nocebo expectations hypothesis. Frontiers in Public Health. link

    Scientific review of health complaints vs. wind-turbine low-frequency sound and infrasound exposure.

  16. history Tandy V., Lawrence T.R. (1998). The ghost in the machine. Journal of the Society for Psychical Research. link

    Classic note linking infrasound from fans to haunted-building sensations (19 Hz resonance).

  17. peer-reviewed von Muggenthaler E. (2000). Infrasonic and low-frequency vocalizations from Siberian and Bengal tigers. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. link

    Infrasonic and low-frequency vocalizations in big cats (tigers) for long-range communication.

  18. peer-reviewed Watkins W.A. et al. (2004). Twelve years of tracking 52-Hz whale calls from a unique source in the North Pacific. Deep-Sea Research Part I. link

    Blue/fin whale vocalizations, source levels, propagation, or long-term song frequency trends.

  19. peer-reviewed Ripepe M. et al. (2018). Infrasonic early warning system for explosive eruptions. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth. link

    Peer-reviewed research paper on the topic cited above. Focus: «Infrasonic early warning system for explosive eruptions».

  20. peer-reviewed Ripepe M. et al. (2021). Dense seismo-acoustic network warning of the 2019 paroxysmal Stromboli eruptions. Scientific Reports. link

    Peer-reviewed research paper on the topic cited above. Focus: «Dense seismo-acoustic network warning of the 2019 paroxysmal Stromboli eruptions».

  21. org NOAA PMEL (2026). The Bloop and cryogenic icequake source identification. NOAA PMEL Acoustics Program. link

    NOAA identification of the famous «Bloop» sound as ice-related, not biological.

  22. peer-reviewed Mack A.L., Jones J. (2003). Low-frequency vocalizations by cassowaries Casuarius spp. The Auk. link

    Peer-reviewed research paper on the topic cited above. Focus: «Low-frequency vocalizations by cassowaries Casuarius spp».

  23. peer-reviewed Hetzer C.H., Gilbert K.E., Waxler R., Talmadge C.L. (2008). Infrasound from hurricanes and dependence on ocean surface-wave fields. Geophysical Research Letters. link

    Infrasound radiated by hurricanes and its dependence on ocean surface waves.

  24. peer-reviewed De Carlo M., Ardhuin F., Le Pichon A. (2020). Atmospheric infrasound generation by ocean waves in finite depth. Geophysical Journal International. link

    Research on atmospheric or ocean-coupled infrasound sources, propagation, or monitoring.

  25. peer-reviewed Reber S.A. et al. (2017). Formants provide honest acoustic cues to body size in American alligators. Scientific Reports. link

    Alligator bellows use infrasonic formants as honest cues to body size in mating.

  26. peer-reviewed Freeman A.R., Hare J.F. (2015). Infrasound in mating displays: a peacock's tale. Animal Behaviour. link

    Peacock mating displays include infrasonic components detectable by females.

  27. peer-reviewed Barklow W.E. (2004). Low-frequency sounds and amphibious communication in Hippopotamus amphibius. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. link

    Low-frequency underwater and amphibious communication in hippopotamuses.

  28. peer-reviewed Wilson C.R., Olson J.V. (2005). High trace-velocity infrasound from pulsating auroras at Fairbanks, Alaska. Geophysical Research Letters. link

    Infrasound coupled to pulsating aurora and upper-atmosphere energy deposition.

  29. peer-reviewed Longuet-Higgins M.S. (1950). A theory of the origin of microseisms. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A. link

    Theory and observations of microseisms — seismic noise driven by ocean waves.

  30. peer-reviewed Campus P., Christie D.R. (2010). Worldwide observations of infrasonic waves. Infrasound Monitoring for Atmospheric Studies. link

    Research on atmospheric or ocean-coupled infrasound sources, propagation, or monitoring.

  31. peer-reviewed Le Pichon A., Blanc E., Hauchecorne A. (2010). Infrasound Monitoring for Atmospheric Studies. Springer. link

    Research on atmospheric or ocean-coupled infrasound sources, propagation, or monitoring.

  32. peer-reviewed Matoza R.S. et al. (2022). Atmospheric waves and global seismoacoustic observations of the January 2022 Hunga eruption. Science. link

    Peer-reviewed research paper on the topic cited above. Focus: «Atmospheric waves and global seismoacoustic observations of the January 2022 Hunga eruption».

  33. peer-reviewed Le Pichon A. et al. (2013). The 2013 Russian fireball largest ever detected by CTBTO infrasound sensors. Geophysical Research Letters. link

    Estimating meteoroid energy and trajectory from infrasonic airwaves of bolides and fireballs.

  34. peer-reviewed Le Pichon A. et al. (2005). Infrasound associated with 2004-2005 large Sumatra earthquakes and tsunami. Geophysical Research Letters. link

    Infrasound and seismo-acoustic observations of the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami.

  35. review Garces M. et al. (2005). Infrasound associated with the 2004 Sumatra megathrust earthquake and tsunami. Acoustical Society of America lay language paper. link

    Infrasound and seismo-acoustic observations of the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami.

  36. peer-reviewed Bittner M., Hoppner K., Pilger C., Schmidt C. (2010). Mesopause temperature perturbations caused by infrasonic waves as a potential indicator for detection of tsunamis. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences. link

    Peer-reviewed research paper on the topic cited above. Focus: «Mesopause temperature perturbations caused by infrasonic waves as a potential indicator for detection of tsunamis».

  37. history Symons G.J. (1888). The Eruption of Krakatoa and Subsequent Phenomena. Royal Society. link

    Historic Krakatoa 1883 eruption — among the loudest infrasonic events recorded globally.

  38. review Gabrielson T.B. (2004). Krakatoa and the Royal Society: the Krakatoa explosion of 1883. Acoustics Today. link

    Historic Krakatoa 1883 eruption — among the loudest infrasonic events recorded globally.

  39. media Cox A. (2014). The sound so loud that it circled the Earth four times. Nautilus. link

    News article or popular book reporting jellyfish/infrasound events or trends. Focus: «The sound so loud that it circled the Earth four times».

  40. peer-reviewed Payne K.B., Langbauer W.R., Thomas E.M. (1986). Infrasonic calls of the Asian elephant Elephas maximus. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. link

    How elephants use low-frequency calls and ground-borne vibrations for communication and navigation.

  41. peer-reviewed O'Connell-Rodwell C.E. (2007). Keeping an ear to the ground: seismic communication in elephants. Physiology. link

    How elephants use low-frequency calls and ground-borne vibrations for communication and navigation.

  42. peer-reviewed Mortimer B., Rees W.L., Koelemeijer P., Nissen-Meyer T. (2018). Classifying elephant behaviour through seismic vibrations. Current Biology. link

    How elephants use low-frequency calls and ground-borne vibrations for communication and navigation.

  43. org Elephant Listening Project (2026). Forest elephant acoustic monitoring methods and data. Cornell University. link

    Report, patent, or technical documentation from an organization or industry body. Focus: «Forest elephant acoustic monitoring methods and data».

  44. org NOAA Ocean Explorer (2026). The SOFAR channel and long-range underwater sound propagation. NOAA. link

    Report, patent, or technical documentation from an organization or industry body. Focus: «The SOFAR channel and long-range underwater sound propagation».

  45. peer-reviewed Cummings W.C., Thompson P.O. (1971). Underwater sounds from the blue whale Balaenoptera musculus. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. link

    Blue/fin whale vocalizations, source levels, propagation, or long-term song frequency trends.

  46. peer-reviewed Sirovic A., Hildebrand J.A., Wiggins S.M. (2007). Blue and fin whale call source levels and propagation range in the Southern Ocean. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. link

    Blue/fin whale vocalizations, source levels, propagation, or long-term song frequency trends.

  47. peer-reviewed Hagstrum J.T. (2013). Atmospheric propagation modeling indicates homing pigeons use loft-specific infrasound for navigation. Journal of Experimental Biology. link

    Hypothesis and evidence that homing pigeons navigate using loft-specific infrasonic maps.

  48. peer-reviewed Mills C.E. (2001). Jellyfish blooms: are populations increasing globally in response to changing ocean conditions? Hydrobiologia. link

    Large-scale drivers of recurring jellyfish blooms (climate oscillations, fishing, eutrophication).

  49. review Purcell J.E. (2005). Climate effects on formation of jellyfish and ctenophore blooms: a review. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. link

    Trends, causes, or ecosystem effects of increasing jellyfish populations and blooms worldwide.

  50. review Pitt K.A., Welsh D.T., Condon R.H. (2011). Influence of jellyfish blooms on carbon, nutrient and oxygen dynamics and pelagic-benthic coupling. Marine Ecology Progress Series. link

    Trends, causes, or ecosystem effects of increasing jellyfish populations and blooms worldwide.

  51. peer-reviewed Lynam C.P., Gibbons M.J., Axelsen B.E., Sparks C.A.J., Coetzee J., Heywood B.G., Brierley A.S. (2006). Jellyfish overtake fish in a heavily fished ecosystem. Current Biology. link

    Jellyfish biology, blooms, impacts, or management in coastal and open-ocean systems.

  52. peer-reviewed Licandro P., Conway D.V.P., Daly Yahia M.N., Fernandez de Puelles M.L., Gasparini S., Hecq J.H., Tranter P., Kirby R.R. (2010). A blooming jellyfish in the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean. Biology Letters. link

    Trends, causes, or ecosystem effects of increasing jellyfish populations and blooms worldwide.

  53. peer-reviewed Doyle T.K., Hays G.C., Harrod C., Houghton J.D.R. (2014). Ecological and societal benefits of jellyfish. In Jellyfish Blooms. Springer. link

    Trends, causes, or ecosystem effects of increasing jellyfish populations and blooms worldwide.

  54. peer-reviewed Mianzan H.W., Mari N., Prenski B., Sanchez F. (2001). Fish predation on Neritic medusae from the Argentine coast. Fisheries Research. link

    Peer-reviewed research paper on the topic cited above. Focus: «Fish predation on Neritic medusae from the Argentine coast».

  55. peer-reviewed Schnedler-Meyer N.A., Mariani P., Kiørboe T. (2018). The global susceptibility of coastal plankton communities to jellyfish predation under climate change. Scientific Reports. link

    Interactions between jellyfish and fisheries — predation, bycatch, or economic losses.

  56. peer-reviewed Kawahara M., Uye S. (2012). Seasonal cycles and fisheries impacts of Nemopilema nomurai in the Japan Sea. Fisheries Oceanography.

    Ecology and fisheries impacts of giant Nomura's jellyfish (Nemopilema nomurai) in East Asian seas.

  57. peer-reviewed Purcell J.E., Malej A., Benovic A. (1999). Potential links of jellyfish to eutrophication and fisheries in the Adriatic Sea. Scientia Marina.

    Interactions between jellyfish and fisheries — predation, bycatch, or economic losses.

  58. peer-reviewed Brotz L., Cheung W.W.L., Kleisner K., Pakhomov E., Pauly D. (2012). Increasing jellyfish populations in developing marine ecosystems and fisheries implications. Marine Biology. link

    Trends, causes, or ecosystem effects of increasing jellyfish populations and blooms worldwide.

  59. media Reuters (2011). Jellyfish force shutdown at Torness nuclear power station in Scotland. Reuters. link

    News report or book on jellyfish swarms shutting nuclear plants, desalination, or coastal infrastructure.

  60. media Japan Times (2009). Giant Nomura jellyfish plague fisheries and coasts in western Japan. Japan Times. link

    Interactions between jellyfish and fisheries — predation, bycatch, or economic losses.

  61. media ABC News Australia (2023). Box jellyfish and Irukandji season affects tourism and beach safety in northern Australia. ABC. link

    Medical and ecological aspects of dangerous box jellyfish (Chironex, Irukandji) in Australia and tropics.

  62. media Bangkok Post (2024). Jellyfish blooms and beach-warning campaigns on Thailand coasts. Bangkok Post. link

    Trends, causes, or ecosystem effects of increasing jellyfish populations and blooms worldwide.

  63. org NOAA Fisheries (2026). Understanding and responding to harmful jellyfish blooms in U.S. waters. NOAA. link

    Trends, causes, or ecosystem effects of increasing jellyfish populations and blooms worldwide.

  64. org FAO (2021). The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2021: aquatic food systems and climate resilience. Food and Agriculture Organization. link

    Report, patent, or technical documentation from an organization or industry body. Focus: «The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2021: aquatic food systems and climate resilience».

  65. org GFCM (2024). Jellyfish Monitoring in the Mediterranean and Black Sea: operational guidance update. General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean. link

    How gelatinous zooplankton reshaped Black Sea food webs and collapsed anchovy fisheries.

  66. peer-reviewed Southall B.L. et al. (2007). Marine mammal noise exposure criteria: initial scientific recommendations. Aquatic Mammals. link

    Scientific criteria for safe noise exposure levels for marine mammals (shipping, sonar).

  67. peer-reviewed Southall B.L. et al. (2019). Marine mammal noise exposure criteria: updated scientific recommendations for residual hearing effects. Aquatic Mammals. link

    Scientific criteria for safe noise exposure levels for marine mammals (shipping, sonar).

  68. review Hildebrand J.A. (2009). Anthropogenic and natural sources of ambient noise in the ocean. Marine Ecology Progress Series. link

    Natural vs. human-made ambient noise in the ocean and impacts on marine life.

  69. review Erbe C., Marley S.A., Schoeman R.P., Smith J.N., Trigg L.E., Embling C.B. (2019). The effects of ship noise on marine mammals: a review. Frontiers in Marine Science. link

    Scientific criteria for safe noise exposure levels for marine mammals (shipping, sonar).

  70. history Urick R.J. (1983). Principles of Underwater Sound. McGraw-Hill.

    Foundational textbook on underwater acoustics propagation, sonar, and ocean sound channels.

  71. review Au W.W.L., Hastings M.C. (2008). Principles of Marine Bioacoustics. Springer. link

    Principles of marine bioacoustics — how marine animals produce and perceive sound.

  72. org Google Patents (2019). CN110325742A: Jellyfish repelling and filtering system for seawater intakes. Chinese patent publication. link

    Jellyfish or debris blocking power-plant cooling-water intakes — field tests, incidents, or management guidance.

  73. org Google Patents (2020). CN111804409A: Acoustic jellyfish-prevention device for marine engineering intake structures. Chinese patent publication. link

    Patent or engineering concept for acoustic, bubble, or mechanical jellyfish deterrence at seawater intakes.

  74. org Google Patents (2018). CN108079339A: Bubble-curtain jellyfish interception method for coastal intakes. Chinese patent publication. link

    Patent or engineering concept for acoustic, bubble, or mechanical jellyfish deterrence at seawater intakes.

  75. org CTBTO Preparatory Commission (2026). Infrasound stations in the International Monitoring System. CTBTO. link

    CTBTO International Monitoring System infrasound stations and open data for science and civil use.

See also
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HERD (2026). Jellyfish, storms, and infrasound · plain-language guide. HERD — Infrasound library. https://theherd.network/infrasound/en/jellyfish