SONIC GEOLOGY – a glossary of useful terms

COMPILED BY Dr. STELLA BARROWS AND ROGER MILLINGTON NISG





Percolation
Theoretical term relating to the process of transmission by which sound becomes trapped in geological structures.

Sonic sedimentation
Process by which sonic phenomena are laid down in strata within sedimentary rock.

Crystalline induction
Electromagnetic sonic effects found in quartz and other crystalline forms (theoretical)

Sonic seeding
The active process of surface absorption that precedes percolation. The full process appears to be Seeding > Percolation > Imprinting > Earth Trauma > Release, though this remains to be empirically proven.

‘Sounding Space’
A field site in which geological sonic phenomena may be detected.

Earth Trauma
Historic incident in which the geology of a sounding space has been altered, allowing for the emergence of sonic phenomena. (ie: Mining, earthquake, landslip)

Imprinting


'Hot Spot'
Post-percolatory capture of sound within subterranean strata.

A focused, mainly localised sonic vent

Igneous response
Distinctive bass-tonal effects, detected in igneous (volcanic) areas.

Sedimentary response
Distinctive mid-tonal effects, detected in sedimentary (alluvial) areas.

Metamorphic response
Distinctive vari-tonal effects, detected in areas where geology has been shaped by pressure, or glacial erosion.

Sonic Porosity
Suitability of geological conditions for seeding, percolation, imprinting and release of sonic phenomena.

Conversational
Phenomena pertaining to emissions of the human voice.

Melodic event
Phenomena pertaining to emissions of music or harmony.

Ambient event
Phenomena pertaining to emissions of natural sound.

Proto-historic event

Phenomena pertaining to echo-type replay of specific historic events.