Schumann Resonance (Fundamental)
7.83 Hz
A radio-wave resonance of the Earth’s atmosphere, measured near 7.8 Hz. It is not a sound and cannot be heard.
How well is this supported?
Measured directly, or defined by a published standard.
This value is measured, or set by a published standard.
About this number
The space between the ground and the ionosphere acts as a resonant cavity for very low frequency radio waves, kept ringing by lightning around the world. Its lowest mode is near 7.8 Hz, often quoted as 7.83 Hz, and the value varies through the day. W. O. Schumann predicted the resonance in 1952. Balser and Wagner first measured it in 1960. It is a radio wave, not a sound: a wave at this frequency is about 38,000 km long, close to the distance around the Earth.
What is said about it
What is said, not what was measured
Sometimes called “the Earth’s heartbeat”. The number falls where the theta and alpha EEG bands meet, and proponents of brainwave entrainment use it as a beat frequency for that reason.
Facts
- Frequency
- 7.83 Hz
- Wavelength (electromagnetic wave)
- 38,288 km
- Refers to
- Radio-wave resonance of the space between the ground and the ionosphere
- Kind of statement
- Physical measurement
- Filed under
- Earth, Moon & Sun
Sources
- Schumann resonance
The prediction, the first measurement, and a later summary of the mode frequencies.
W. O. Schumann, Zeitschrift für Naturforschung A 7 (1952) 149–154. M. Balser and C. A. Wagner, Nature 188 (1960) 638–641. F. Simões, R. Pfaff and H. Freudenreich, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (NTRS 20120000051).
View source: Schumann resonance