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Article about ELS and a worldwide hum from UFOlogi
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This is an article that originally appeared
in the April/June 1994 issue of _Ufologist_
magazine, published by North Bridge Corp,
Palatka, Florida. It is uploaded with the
permission of the author and the publisher.
Copyright 1994 North Bridge Corporation.
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ELF AND THE HUM
by Ron Holtz
Since 1991, people in the Taos, New Mexico area
have reported hearing an annoying, low-frequency
hum, the cause of which has yet to be identified
(_Ufologist_, Vol.2, No.3, 1992). Recent reports
suggest that the Hum is not merely localized to
Taos, but may be a nationwide, or perhaps even
worldwide, problem.
Some investigators suspect the Hum may be caused
by the Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) submarine
communications system. The frequency of the Hum
seems to be between 33 and 80 Hertz, while the
USA's ELF system is believed to operate at
frequencies around 76 Hertz.
The US Navy first conducted experiments on ELF
wave propagation and environmental effects
in 1969, using two antennas each 14 miles long
located at Clam Lake, Wisconsin. Experiments with
this facility continued until 1976, when when
actual ELF communications with submarines were
demonstrated. Shortly thereafter, the Navy made
plans for an operational ELF communications
system using buried antennas so as to be hardened
against nuclear attack. This system, code-named
Sanquine, was cancelled after studies determined
that the system would be vulnerable to nuclear
attack.
Despite the cancellation of Sanquine, the Navy
began development of an above-ground ELF system
using antennas 28 miles long, also located at
Clam Lake. This system, code-named Seafarer, was
opposed by environmental groups and residents of
the area concerned about possible adverse health
effects of ELF radiation.
President Carter cancelled Seafarer in 1978, but
the program was revived by President Reagan in
1981. The revived ELF system employs antennas 56
miles long on the upper penninsula of Michigan, in
addition to the 28 mile long antennas in Wisconsin.
Each antenna is powered with a 660 kilowatt
transmitter. This system became operational in
1987.
The ELF communications system used by the United
States uses two frequency bands, 40 to 50 Hertz,
and 70 to 80 Hertz. The principle operating
frequency is thought to be 76 Hertz, which seems
to be one of the frequencies associated with the
Taos Hum.
The Commonwealth of Independent States is believed
to be maintaining the ELF communications system
used by the former Soviet Union. The Soviet system
was probably in operation as early as the 1970s,
and used two transmitters at Riga and Gomel. The
Soviet system broadcast at 8 Hertz, and perhaps
other frequencies as well.
In addition to the USA and the CIS, there is a
British ELF site in the Glen Cally Forest in
Scotland, and a French system sited at Roshay.
Both the British and French systems were due to be
operational prior to 1990.
As mentioned above, the ELF transmitting
facilities in Wisconsin were opposed by residents
and environmental groups. A number of studies of
possible health and environmental effects were
supported by the Navy, and there was an exhaustive
review of ELF-related research by the National
Academy of Sciences in 1976.
The National Academy of Sciences review looked at
studies of the effects of ELF on genetics,
reproduction, cell growth and division, circadian
rhythms, electro-sensitive fish, insect behavior,
bird migration, effects on plants, soil organisms,
and effects on neurophysiology and behavior of
mammals.
Apparently, though, nobody thought to study the
simpler question of whether anyone could HEAR a
hum from the ELF fields.
Despite a few studies that suggested that ELF
fields do cause some measurable biological
effects, the NAS review panel concluded that the
ELF communications system was unlikely to cause
any health or environmental problems. Curiously,
the studies on mammalian neurophysiology that were
reviewed by the NAS panel did contain some
evidence that brain nerve cells could be effected
by ELF fields. In fact, it was assumed that ELF
fields could stimulate electrical activity in the
brain, but it was also assumed that these effects
shouldn't be noticable because they would be far
smaller than the normal electrical activity in the
brain. Despite these assumptions, there was, in
fact, some evidence that changes in brain nerve
cell response could occur even from very weak
electrical influences, much weaker than the normal
nerve impulses.
The NAS panel concluded based on extrapolation
rather than direct evidence, that neurophysical
and neurochemical effects would only occur for
electric and magnetic field strengths much higher
than those expected to be induced by the ELF
system.
The National Academy of Sciences review seemed,
at least at the time, nearly 20 years ago, to
give the ELF communications system a clean bill
of health. It's not known whether any follow-up
studies have been done since the ELF
communications system became operational.
Since the frequency used by the ELF communications
system, around 75 Hertz, is within the range
reported for the Taos Hum, the ELF system seems a
natural suspect as the cause of the hum. However,
it is not known why the Hum was not detected until
1991 if the ELF communications system went into
operation in 1987. If there was a direct cause and
effect relationship, one would expect that the Hum
would have been noticed several years earlier.
Furthermore, the Hum is reported to have frequency
components ranging from 17 to 32 Hertz and higher,
yet these are not frequencies in use for the ELF
communications system. Even if the 76 Hertz ELF
system were contributing to the Hum, the other
frequency components would need to be explained.
Perhaps the 76 Hertz frequency match is
coincidental. Obviously, further investigation is
needed to identify the cause of the Taos Hum.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
"Taos, New Mexico area - and others - go on
humming", _Ufologist_, Vol.2, No.3, 1992.
_Jane's Underwater Warfare Systems_, 1993-94,
(Jane's Information Group, Ltd., Alexandria, VA,
1993).
_Jane's Military Communications_, 1993-94,(Jane's
Information Group, Ltd., Alexandria, VA, 1993).
_The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapons
Systems_ 1991-92, (Naval Institute Press,
Annapolis, MD, 1991).
"Soviet Submarine Communications", Signal, p.65,
November 1987.
"Biological Effects of Electric and Magnetic
Fields Associated with ELF Communications
Systems", J.D. Grisset, Proceedings of the IEEE,
Vol. 68, No.1, p.98, January, 1980.
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