Research article · 2025 · Full text
International Journal of Geography Geology and EnvironmentSeismo-acoustic coupling in microseismic events: Evidence from the Deccan Volcanic Province, Maharashtra, India
Volume 7(10) · Pages 07–16 · DOI: 10.22271/27067483.2025.v7.i10a.423 ↗
Research areasSeismic Waves and AnalysisSeismic Imaging and Inversion TechniquesSeismology and Earthquake Studies
Abstract
Author-writtenThe Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP), traditionally classified as a stable continental region, exhibits persistent low-magnitude seismicity that challenges conventional tectonic paradigms. Recent microseismic events in the Sangola tehsil, Solapur district, Maharashtra, have been accompanied by audible acoustic phenomena, providing an opportunity to investigate seismo-acoustic coupling mechanisms. We conducted a comprehensive analysis integrating instrumental seismic data from the National Center for Seismology (India) with systematic documentation of public acoustic reports. Seismic events were analyzed for magnitude-depth relationships, temporal patterns, and frequency characteristics. Acoustic reports were systematically classified and correlated with instrumental records. Four documented earthquakes (M 2.2-3.1) occurred at shallow depths (5-10 km) between 2023-2025, all accompanied by audible
Summary
Source-checkedPlain-language reading of the full paper, prepared with AI and checked against the text. Each point links to the authors' own words.
Why it matters
- Intraplate earthquakes in stable continental regions challenge classical plate tectonic theory, which suggests seismic activity should mainly occur at plate boundaries. View evidence ↗
- The Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP) in the Indian Peninsula is a key example of this paradox, as it shows persistent microseismicity despite being a stable cratonic region. View evidence ↗
- Audible sounds during earthquakes, known as seismo-acoustic coupling, occur when seismic P-waves interact with the Earth's surface and transfer energy into atmospheric acoustic waves. View evidence ↗
The question
- The study aims to correlate instrumental seismic data with acoustic reports in the DVP, evaluate the physical mechanisms involved, rule out alternative sources like sonic booms, and discuss hazard assessment implications. View evidence ↗
What they did
- The researchers used instrumental seismic data provided by the National Center for Seismology (NCS) in India. View evidence ↗
- Public reports of audible sounds were gathered from regional media and cross-referenced with the timing of seismic events. View evidence ↗
- Causality was established by performing a temporal correlation analysis between the recorded seismic events and the public acoustic reports. View evidence ↗
What they found
- A high correlation coefficient (r > 0.9) was found between seismic event times and acoustic reports within ±5 minutes of the earthquake origin. View evidence ↗
- The reported acoustic sounds had dominant frequencies in the 10-60 Hz range, which aligns with theoretical predictions for shallow earthquake sources. View evidence ↗
- The researchers ruled out sonic booms because the signals propagated at crustal velocities (>5000 m/s) rather than the speed of sound in air (~340 m/s). View evidence ↗
- Some seismic events coincided with post-monsoon periods of maximum groundwater recharge, suggesting a potential hydroseismic trigger. View evidence ↗
What it means
- The authors conclude that the DVP should be reclassified from tectonically stable to having low-level active seismicity, which impacts regional hazard assessment. View evidence ↗
- The authors recommend deploying integrated seismo-acoustic monitoring networks to better understand intraplate seismogenic processes and improve hazard evaluation. View evidence ↗
- The authors note that their dataset is limited, which prevents them from drawing definitive conclusions regarding the correlation between hydrological cycles and seismic events. View evidence ↗
Visual summary
1 visualsIllustrations explain the paper; they do not show study data.
Seismo-Acoustic Energy Transfer
AI-generated conceptual illustration (Earth's crust and atmosphere interface in the Deccan Volcanic Province). It explains the idea and does not show study data.
View source evidence ↗Figures & tables
From the original paper
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Table 7Introduction 1.1 Intraplate Seismicity in Stable Continental Regions
Intraplate earthquakes occurring within stable continental regions represent a fundamental challenge to classical plate tectonic theory, which predicts seismic activity primarily at plate boundaries (Stein et al., 1989) [23] . These events, while less frequent than interplate earthquakes, pose significant hazards due to their unexpected occurrence in regions considered seismically stable (Johnston et al., 1994) [12] . The Indian Peninsula, particularly the Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP), exemplifies this paradox, hosting several zones of persistent microseismicity despite its cratonic stability (Gupta et al., 2003) [8] . The DVP, formed by massive flood basalt eruptions associated with the Réunion hotspot approximately 66 Ma ago (Courtillot et al., 1988) [5] , covers an area of ~500,000 km² across west-central India (Figure 1). While the province is often considered tectonically quiescent, well-documented cases of induced and natural seismicity, including the Koyna-Warna reservoir-triggered seismicity (Gupta, 2002) and the recent Palghar earthquake swarm (Patro et al., 2017), indicate ongoing tectonic activity (Figure 2) [7,21] .
Seismo-Acoustic Coupling Phenomena
The generation of audible sounds during earthquakes, historically termed "earthquake booms," "brontides," or "Seneca Guns," has been documented for centuries but remained poorly understood until recent advances in seismo-acoustic theory (Hill et al., 1976; Bolt, 1982) [10] . These phenomena result from the coupling of seismic energy into atmospheric acoustic waves, primarily through P-wave interaction with the Earth's surface (Bolt, 1982; Lacanna et al., 2014) [4,14] .
The efficiency of seismo-acoustic coupling depends critically on earthquake parameters, particularly focal depth and frequency content (Figure 3). Shallow events (< 10 km depth) with high-frequency components (5-60 Hz) are most effective at generating audible acoustic waves (Bolt, 1982; Arrowsmith et al., 2010) [2,4] . The acoustic signals typically precede felt shaking because P-waves, responsible for sound generation, arrive before the more destructive S-waves that cause perceptible ground motion (Hill et al., 1976) [10] .
Study Objectives
Recent reports from the Sangola tehsil, Solapur district, describe recurring "mild tremors" accompanied by "mysterious sounds," presenting an opportunity to investigate seismo-acoustic coupling in the DVP context. This study aims to: (1) systematically analyze instrumental seismic data and correlate it with acoustic reports, (2) evaluate the physical mechanisms responsible for observed phenomena, (3) discriminate seismic sources from alternative explanations such as sonic booms, and (4) discuss implications for seismic hazard assessment in the DVP.
Study Area and Geological Setting 2.1 Geological Framework
The study area lies within the central DVP, characterized by horizontally layered basaltic lava flows with individual units averaging 20-30 m thickness (Geological Survey of India, 1998) [26] . The monotonous succession of fine-grained, compact basalts is interrupted by red bole horizons marking eruptive hiatuses. The regional geology exhibits minimal surface structural complexity, with gentle dips and pervasive columnar jointing typical of flood basalt provinces (Kale et al., 1992) [13] . [24] . Regional north-south compression generates stress accumulation along pre-existing weakness zones, including ancient fracture systems and lithological boundaries (Mandal, 2007) [16] . The absence of surface faulting in the Solapur region suggests seismic activity occurs on buried structures within the basaltic sequence.
Data and Methods
Data and Methods
Seismic Data Sources:
Instrumental seismic data were obtained from the National Center for Seismology (NCS), India's official earthquake monitoring agency. The NCS operates a national network of broadband seismometers with magnitude detection thresholds of ~M 2.0 for regional events. Earthquake parameters including origin time, hypocenter location, magnitude, and focal depth were extracted from official bulletins [17,18,19,20] .
Acoustic Report Documentation
Public reports of acoustic phenomena were systematically collected from regional media sources and cross-referenced with seismic event timing. Report descriptions were classified according to acoustic characteristics (frequency, duration, amplitude) and temporal relationship to felt shaking.
Data Integration and Analysis
Temporal correlation analysis between seismic events and acoustic reports was performed to establish causality. Earthquake parameters were evaluated against established criteria for seismo-acoustic coupling efficiency, including magnitude-depth scaling relationships and frequency content considerations.
Results
Results
Seismic Event Catalog
Four earthquakes were instrumentally recorded in the Solapur district during 2023-2025, all exhibiting characteristics conducive to acoustic generation (Table 3, Figure 3): All events exhibit shallow focal depths (5-10 km) and low magnitudes (M 2.2-3.1), optimal parameters for efficient seismo-acoustic coupling based on established scaling relationships (Bolt, 1982) [4] .
| Date | Origin Time (UTC) | Latitude (°N) | Longitude (°E) | Magnitude (ML) | Depth (km) | Acoustic Reports | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/25/2023 | 12:47:29 | 17.66 | 75.95 | 2.3 | 5 | Low-frequency rumble | NCS, 2023a |
| 6/9/2024 | 14:08:08 | 17.87 | 74.72 | 3.1 | 5 | Mixed frequency boom | NCS, 2024a |
| 4/3/2025 | 5:52:00 | 17.41 | 75.21 | 2.6 | 5 | Sustained roar | NCS, 2025a |
| 8/21/2025 | 8:49:59 | 17.72 | 75.99 | 2.2 | 10 | High-frequency boom | NCS, 2025b |
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Magnitude-Depth Relationship Analysis
The relationship between earthquake magnitude and focal depth shows a clear clustering in the shallow crustal regime (Figure 4). All events occur within the upper 10 km of the crust, consistent with brittle failure in the basaltic sequence.
Temporal Analysis
The temporal distribution of events shows no clear periodicity but suggests ongoing stress accumulation and release (Figure 5). The inter-event times range from 8 to 24 months, indicating sporadic but persistent seismic activity.
Acoustic Phenomena Documentation
Contemporary media reports consistently describe audible phenomena accompanying seismic events. Typical descriptions include "jet engine rumble," "roaring sound,"
and "like a large truck passing by" (Lokmat, 2025) [15] . These characterizations are consistent with low-frequency acoustic waves (10-100 Hz) generated by seismo-acoustic coupling processes.
Temporal Correlation Analysis
Direct temporal correlation exists between instrumentally recorded earthquakes and public acoustic reports (Figure 6). The April 3, 2025 event (M 2.6) coincides precisely with reports of tremors and "mysterious sounds" in Sangola tehsil (Hindustan Times, 2025), providing definitive evidence of seismo-acoustic causation [11] .
Fig 7:
Cross-correlation analysis between seismic event times and acoustic report times showing high correlation coefficient (r > 0.9) within ±5 minutes of earthquake origin times 4.6 Frequency Analysis: Spectral analysis of reported acoustic characteristics suggests dominant frequencies in the 10-60 Hz range, consistent with theoretical predictions for shallow earthquake sources (Table 5).
| Acoustic Description | Dominant Frequency (Hz) | Bandwidth (Hz) | Seismic Source Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Deep rumble" | 15-25 | 10-40 | 12-35 |
| "Sharp boom" | 30-60 | 20-100 | 25-80 |
| "Jet engine roar" | 20-40 | 15-80 | 18-65 |
| "Thunder-like" | 10-30 | 8-50 | 10-45 |
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Discussion 5.1 Physical Mechanisms of Seismo-Acoustic Coupling
The observed phenomena exemplify classical seismoacoustic coupling theory (Figure 8). Shallow earthquake sources generate P-waves with significant high-frequency content that efficiently couple into atmospheric acoustic waves upon reaching the surface. The frequency overlap between seismic P-waves (5-60 Hz) and human hearing range (20-20,000 Hz) explains the audibility of smallmagnitude events despite minimal felt shaking (Bolt, 1982; Arrowsmith et al., 2010) [2,4] . The temporal sequence acoustic perception preceding felt motion reflects the physical reality of P-wave arrival before more energetic S-waves. This characteristic signature distinguishes earthquake-generated acoustics from other sources and provides a diagnostic tool for event identification.
Comparison with Global Analogs
The Solapur events show remarkable similarity to welldocumented cases of seismo-acoustic coupling worldwide (Table 6). The magnitude-depth parameters fall within the established "acoustic window" for efficient sound generation.
| Location | Magnitude Range | Depth Range (km) | Frequency (Hz) | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solapur, India | 2.2-3.1 | 5-10 | 10-60 | This study |
| San Andreas, CA | 2.0-3.5 | 3-12 | 8-50 | Hill et al., 1976 [10] |
| New Madrid, MO | 2.5-4.0 | 5-15 | 15-80 | Street et al., 1982 [25] |
| Charlevoix, Canada | 2.8-3.8 | 8-18 | 12-45 | Bent, 1992 [3] |
| Alpine Fault, NZ | 2.1-3.2 | 4-11 | 10-65 | Petersen et al., 2004 [22] |
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Implications for DVP Seismotectonics
The Solapur microseismicity, together with documented activity at Koyna-Warna (Gupta, 2002), Palghar (Patro et al., 2017) [7,21] , and other DVP locations, necessitates revision of the province's seismic characterization (Figure 9). Rather than a tectonically stable craton, the DVP exhibits persistent low-level activity consistent with ongoing intraplate deformation under regional stress fields.
The shallow focal depths (5-10 km) suggest rupture within the upper basaltic sequence, possibly along pre-existing joint systems or lithological contacts enhanced by fluid pressure variations. Seasonal groundwater fluctuations in the semi-arid Solapur region may modulate pore pressures and trigger failure on critically stressed fractures, analogous to mechanisms proposed for other DVP seismic zones (Mandal, 2007) [16] .
Hydroseismic Triggering Potential
Analysis of temporal patterns suggests possible correlation with hydrological cycles (Figure 10). While the limited dataset precludes definitive conclusions, the timing of some events coincides with post-monsoon periods when groundwater recharge is maximum.
Fig 10:
Correlation analysis between earthquake timing and hydrological parameters including precipitation, groundwater levels, and reservoir storage.
Hazard Assessment Considerations
While individual events remain below damage thresholds (M < 4.0), their occurrence indicates active stress accumulation and release within the DVP. Continuous microseismic monitoring provides insights into deeper tectonic processes and potential precursory activity to larger events. The acoustic component offers an additional monitoring dimension, particularly valuable in regions with sparse instrumental coverage.
Conclusions
The microseismic events in Solapur district represent textbook examples of seismo-acoustic coupling, where shallow, small-magnitude earthquakes generate audible acoustic phenomena through P-wave energy transfer to the atmosphere. This study provides the first systematic documentation of such events in the DVP and contributes to growing evidence for ongoing tectonic activity within supposedly stable continental regions.
Key findings include 1. Four shallow (5-10 km) earthquakes (M 2.2-3.1) occurred during 2023-2025, all generating reported acoustic phenomena 2. Temporal correlation between seismic events and acoustic reports confirms causal relationship 3. Earthquake parameters are optimal for seismo-acoustic coupling based on established physical models 4. Tectonic origin is definitively established, excluding alternative explanations such as sonic booms 5. Events occur within established "acoustic window" for efficient sound generation 6. Acoustic characteristics match theoretical predictions and global analogs These results support reclassification of the DVP from seismically stable to low-level active, with implications for regional hazard assessment and monitoring strategies. Future research should focus on deploying integrated seismo-acoustic monitoring networks to advance understanding of intraplate seismogenic processes and improve hazard evaluation methodologies.
The study demonstrates the value of integrating instrumental data with citizen observations to understand earthquake phenomena, particularly in regions where such events are unexpected and poorly documented. As global populations expand into previously considered stable regions, such integrated approaches become increasingly important for comprehensive seismic hazard assessment.
Acknowledgement
AcknowledgmentsWe thank the Hon. Commisioner and Deputy Director Pune Region, Pune, GSDA Maharashtra for their encouragement and support during the research work. We also thank the National Center for Seismology, India, for providing earthquake data and the local communities of Solapur district for reporting their observations [17,18,19, 20] .
Figures and tables from the paper
| Unit | Lithology | Thickness (m) | Age | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Basalt | Fine-grained basalt | 15-25 | Late Cretaceous | Columnar jointing, vesicular tops |
| Red Bole | Ferruginous clay | 1-3 | Late Cretaceous | Weathered horizon, high permeability |
| Middle Basalt | Medium-grained basalt | 20-30 | Late Cretaceous | Massive, less jointed |
| Red Bole | Ferruginous clay | 1-2 | Late Cretaceous | Weathered horizon |
| Lower Basalt | Coarse-grained basalt | 25-35 | Late Cretaceous | Phenocrystic texture |
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| Category | Description Examples | Frequency Range (Hz) | Typical Duration (s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low-frequency rumble | "Thunder-like," "Heavy truck" | 10-50 | 10-30 |
| High-frequency boom | "Explosive bang," "Sonic boom" | 20-200 | 1-5 |
| Sustained roar | "Jet engine," "Wind rushing" | 20-100 | 5-20 |
| Mixed frequency | "Rumble followed by bang" | 10-200 | 5-15 |
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| Event Date | Distance from Epicenter (km) | Report Type | Acoustic Description | Estimated Intensity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/25/2023 | 5-15 | News report | "Deep rumbling sound" | Moderate |
| 6/9/2024 | 8-20 | Social media | "Loud boom followed by rumble" | Strong |
| 4/3/2025 | 3-12 | News report | "Continuous roaring for 10 seconds" | Strong |
| 8/21/2025 | 10-25 | Citizen reports | "Sharp crack then low rumble" | Weak-Moderate |
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| Parameter | Current Assessment | Revised Assessment | Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum magnitude | M 4.0 | M 5.0-5.5 | Increased building code requirements |
| Recurrence interval | >100 years | 10-50 years | Enhanced monitoring needed |
| Ground motion | PGA <0.1g | PGA 0.1-0.2g | Infrastructure design updates |
| Public awareness | Low | Medium | Risk communication programs |
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