The mountain calls – and it vibrates. In any case, the Matterhorn is apparently in constant motion in the Alps. However, fluctuations in the nano and micrometre range cannot be felt by humans, but can only be measured using a seismometer, such as a team led by Samuel Weber from the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research. im Fachblatt » Earth and Planetary Science Papers « Reported. The cause of the vibration is a resonance effect: the mountain accelerates the movement of the natural earth.
It is known that objects can begin to vibrate and have a certain frequency. In the case of alpine surveys, however, the state of the data is so far sparse. So the scientists collected measurements on the summit of the Matterhorn and on the most famous climbing route, the Hornligrat. For comparison, he also installed a seismometer at the foot of the mountain. The Matterhorn rises 4478 m above sea level. The mountain stands largely on Swiss soil, the south face being that of Italy.
© Jeff Moore / University of Utah
How does the peak move? In this simulation, the natural vibrations of the Matterhorn are exaggerated. The mountain “staggers” in a north-south direction at 0.43 Hz.
The researchers used their data to determine the frequency and direction of the resonant vibrations. Their result: the Matterhorn vibrates at a frequency of 0.43 Hz in the north-south direction and at a slightly higher frequency in the east-west direction. The mountain moves up to 14 times higher than walking on the summit. Apparently because there’s more room to walk at the top than at the more stable foot of the mountain. Weber’s scientists also set the data to music (Recording can be found here) by intensifying the vibrations 80 times.
The sources of measured mountain vibrations are of various types: wind, earthquake, tidal or human-induced vibration. The mountain then amplifies tremors that correspond to its natural frequency.
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