In recent years, there have been reports from around the world of a strange, unexplained humming or droning noise. While it’s unclear exactly what’s causing this bizarre phenomenon, the mysterious low frequency sound has sparked curiosity and concern among many who have heard it. This article will examine the key facts around this global enigma and explore some of the leading scientific theories about its potential origins.
Where Has the Sound Been Heard?
While it may seem localised to individuals, reports of this elusive noise have actually emerged from locations across the globe. Some of the places where the humming has been reported include:
- The UK – In the 1970s, thousands of people in Britain complained of a loud, persistent humming keeping them awake at night. It was dubbed the “Bristol Hum” and to this day remains unexplained.
- The US – Residents in Taos, New Mexico have been bothered by a low frequency rumble since the early 1990s. Similar accounts have come from other states too.
- Australia – Inner Melbourne and Sydney suburbs were plagued by what became known as “The Hum” in the 1980s.
- New Zealand – Auckland citizens have reported a nagging nighttime drone since the early 2000s.
- Japan – Citizens from Yamaguchi and Okinawa prefectures have complained about an unidentified buzzing since the 1960s.
- Canada – Windsor, Ontario is home to a localised hum of unknown origin, as is Calgary, where it’s been dubbed the “Windsor Hum”.
- Europe – places like Belgium, England, Scotland, Denmark and Serbia have experienced the odd sound.
So while it’s not heard everywhere, the fact it has been reported across so many far-flung places suggests it is a real phenomenon rather than just tinnitus or localised urban noise.
When is the Sound Usually Heard?
Most reports indicate the enigmatic sound is only audible at certain times:
- At night – The majority of cases are during the evening or night when everything else is quiet.
- Indoors – The sound is louder when indoors and seems difficult to detect when outside.
- During calm weather – Wind or heavy rain appears to mask the noise.
- By older citizens – Middle-aged and elderly people seem more susceptible, potentially due to natural hearing loss.
This suggests it is very low frequency and subtle in nature. The fact it occurs more frequently at night may lend credence to the theory it emanates from Earth’s natural geologic processes, which can cause low booming or humming sounds to travel further under the cover of darkness.
What Does the Sound Actually Sound Like?
Descriptions of the noise vary substantially, though these are among the most common:
- Humming
- Droning
- Buzzing
- Pulsing
- Thrumming
- Rumbling
Those who have heard it struggle to pin down the exact tone and pitch. The severity of the noise also ranges hugely – from a faint low mumble to an all-consuming, deafening din.
Sufferers agree the sound has a repetitive, cyclical quality that never seems to fade. Some of the more poetic descriptions include:
- “The humming of invisible harp strings.”
- “A diesel engine idling in the distance.”
- “A rhythmic bellowing of the earth.”
- “The pulsing of a living entity.”
What Effects Does the Sound Have?
As an irritating low frequency noise capable of penetrating walls and doors, the worldwide hum can cause major disruption to people’s lives. Effects include:
- Sleep deprivation – The inability to rest is the most common complaint.
- Headaches and migraines – These are triggered by the constant droning.
- Stress and anxiety – Many develop worries over the noise and its origin.
- Depression – The relentless noise leads some to despair and depression.
- Nausea – Perhaps caused by the vibrational energy of low frequencies.
- Tinnitus – Some people develop ringing in the ears after hearing the noise.
In cases where the hum is very loud, it can make concentration difficult and even cause dizziness or nausea. While not everyone notices or is affected by it, some people’s lives have been severely impacted.
What Are the Main Theories Behind the Noise?
With no definitive explanation, many theories have arisen to explain the global enigma:
Mechanical Sources
- HVAC systems – Humming from building ventilation fans resonating.
- Gas lines – Vibrating pipes creating a droning sound.
- Power grids – Alternating current creating a low frequency hum.
- Wind turbines – Mechanical noise and infrasound emanating from devices.
Geophysical Sources
- Tectonic plates – Micro-tremors or vibrations at continental plate boundaries.
- Ocean waves – Sound from crashing waves resonates via sea floor.
- Earth’s core – Very low pulsations from planet’s magnetic field.
- Acoustic gravity waves – Natural low frequency rumbling in atmosphere.
Human-Generated Sources
- Urban noise – General city infrasound molded by geography.
- Industry – Equipment vibrations and emissions.
- Aviation – Persistent engine drone carrying large distances.
- Military – Secret projects and weapons testing.
Meteorological Sources
- Wind currents – Air flow over mountains and valleys creating effects.
- Storms – Infrasound from distant storms resonating.
- Temperature inversion – Atmospheric channeling and amplification of sound.
Animal Sources
- Whale song – Extremely low whale communications traveling long distances.
- Insect drones – Sounds of tiny wings amplified by unique conditions.
Supernatural Sources
- Earth’s natural frequency – Hum of the planetary consciousness.
- Tinnitus – Symptoms of mass anxiety manifesting as imaginary noise.
- Aliens – Extraterrestrial crafts emitting some kind of hum.
Efforts to Explain the Noise
In many places afflicted by the hum, government agencies and academics have carried out investigations to try unravel the puzzle:
United Kingdom
The UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory studied the Bristol Hum in the 1970s. They linked it to natural gas pipelines and an Avonmouth steelworks across the city. However, the hum persisted after the steelworks closed, so the true cause remains contested.
United States
New Mexico’s Taos Hum was thought to originate from regional gas pipeline compressor stations. But there was limited success in eliminating the noise. A 2003 study by Congress and Los Alamos National Laboratory was unable to pinpoint the source.
Australia
An Adelaide University research team investigated the Kokatha Aboriginal land hum in 2015. Their report hypothesised it was from distant industrial sites resonating, but this was unconfirmed. Some local elders blamed mining operations.
New Zealand
Auckland Councill commissioned a specialist firm to get to the bottom of the local hum in 2006. They cited possible causes like pump stations and fans, but found no conclusive evidence.
Japan
Japanese researchers studied the Okinawa hum in the 1980s. One paper suggested wind blowing through telegraph poles created an ampified howling. Residents however found this an unsatisfying explanation.
Canada
Canada’s Ministry of the Environment investigated the Windsor hum after thousands of complaints in 2011. They concluded it was actually the Zug Island industrial complex sound carrying over the Detroit River.
| Location | Possible Explanation | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| UK – Bristol | Gas pipelines, steelworks | No |
| USA – New Mexico | Gas compressor stations | No |
| Australia – Kokatha | Industrial sites resonating | No |
| New Zealand – Auckland | Pump stations, fans | No |
| Japan – Okinawa | Wind through telegraph poles | No |
| Canada – Windsor | Zug Island industrial complex | Yes |
Is There a Single Worldwide Cause?
The fact this low, mysterious droning has been reported from so many far-flung places around the globe raises the question – could a single phenomenon be behind the worldwide hum?
Some experts theorise there may be a global source responsible, rather than just disparate local causes:
- The earth’s geologic processes generate low-frequency infrasound which can travel thousands of miles.
- Meteorological phenomena like microbaroms produce a constant low frequency pulsing.
- Ocean waves create incessant primary and secondary microseisms.
- Anthropogenic infrasound from worldwide industry and aviation may contribute.
Infrasound around the 20Hz level can induce odd sensations even though it is inaudible. Only the very lowest and loudest frequencies are perceptible as a humming. Microseisms, microbaroms and natural earth din certainly fit the profile, lending credence to theories of a global hum source.
However, cases like Windsor in Canada show local mechanical causes clearly contributing too. It seems likely a combination of worldwide, regional and localized sources intersect to produce the ubiquitous hum.
Is Solving the Mystery Possible?
For afflicted residents, getting to the bottom of the maddening sound is imperative to preserve their quality of life. However, solving the enigma presents some major challenges:
- The hum is difficult to record and measure scientifically.
- It appears in populated areas but lacks any visible, measurable source.
- It constitutes very low frequencies at the threshold of human hearing.
- The sound can travel and become channelled in unpredictable ways.
Nonetheless, raising public awareness can prompt governments and scientists to deploy resources needed for rigorous investigation. The distress felt by those impacted provides a strong impetus to persist in hunting down the source through scientific inquiry.
New technologies also show promise for finally unmasking the culprit/s behind the worldwide drone:
- Low frequency microphones and vibration detectors.
- Spectral analysis software to visually map noise sources.
- Complex acoustical modelling and measurement.
- Sophisticated real-time tracking networks.
While the mysterious hum has confounded experts for decades, the latest science offers hope that tangible explanations and solutions may yet be within reach.
The Outlook for an Explanation
For sufferers seeking respite from thehum, progress has been slow and frustrating. But ongoing scientific interest provides optimism that humanity may eventually solve the puzzle.
Some promising signs:
- Growing recognition it is a real and widespread phenomenon.
- Recent cases have prompted serious investigative studies.
- Advanced monitoring technology offers new detection capability.
- Global communication networks allow improved data sharing.
However, some obstacles remain:
- It manifests irregularly and inconsistently.
- The sound lacks a clear, measurable single source.
- It occurs in dispersed population centers.
- It may have multiple causes requiring separate solutions.
Public pressure needs to stay high so the hum remains a priority for regulators and academia. With sustained effort and commitment to rigorous science, unmasking the source of this persistent sonic mystery seems achievable in coming years. For the wellbeing of those tormented by its ceaseless drone, nothing less must be acceptable.
Conclusion
The worldwide hum is a complex phenomenon afflicting far-flung regions for decades. While theories abound, pinpointing the source has proven difficult, with geological, mechanical, meteorological and anthropogenic factors all potentially playing a role. Solving the enigma will require cooperation between governments, scientists and local communities to deploy sophisticated monitoring and analytical techniques. Though a definitive solution may not come quickly or easily, for those whose lives have been intruded upon by its uncanny drone, it remains a scientific priority. Unraveling the source of this perplexing sound could provide elusive peace and comfort to thousands strained by its strange, relentless cadence.