LAUSR

A balloon borne infrasound sensor circumnavigating Antarctica over the Southern Ocean shows significant broad band signals recorded on a simple microphone. A 10 hour portion of the flight traversed South American Andes, in southern Chile just north of the active Villarrica Volcano. We present signals recorded during this expedition and suggest that the high frequency signals represent transmissions from the earth, or possible bolide activity. While the source of the high frequency signals is yet unknown we provide a statistical analysis of the content during the flight. Verification of signals using chemical explosions in New Mexico demonstrate that infrasound signals are well recorded on stratospheric stations floating hundreds of km from the source. Comparison of stratospheric floating balloon platforms with ground based (IMS) infrasound stations shows considerable improvement in the noise floor, suggesting that balloon borne signals offer a high fidelity alternative to traditional acoustic installations.A balloon borne infrasound sensor circumnavigating Antarctica over the Southern Ocean shows significant broad band signals recorded on a simple microphone. A 10 hour portion of the flight traversed South American Andes, in southern Chile just north of the active Villarrica Volcano. We present signals recorded during this expedition and suggest that the high frequency signals represent transmissions from the earth, or possible bolide activity. While the source of the high frequency signals is yet unknown we provide a statistical analysis of the content during the flight. Verification of signals using chemical explosions in New Mexico demonstrate that infrasound signals are well recorded on stratospheric stations floating hundreds of km from the source. Comparison of stratospheric floating balloon platforms with ground based (IMS) infrasound stations shows considerable improvement in the noise floor, suggesting that balloon borne signals offer a high fidelity alternative to traditional acoustic installations.