For seismologists who study seismic signals from the Earth’s interior, it seems that the effects of quarantine have made them easier to listen to. A reduction in particulate matter in the atmosphere (less severe air pollution) may have saved the lives of young children and elderly adults. A drop in carbon dioxide won’t make a dent in the long term climate crisis. The reduction in noise pollution may make the spring migration of birds easier to hear. Similar to this accidental experiment today, one of which is the reduction in noise from ships and maritime traffic (quiet for the humpback whales), was after 9/11 when ship traffic in North American waters came to a halt.
