Within UFO Noises
Could Infrasound Explain UFO Vibrations?
Infrasound may help explain some reports of pressure, unease, vibration, or humming without a clear audible source.
On this page
- What infrasound is
- Natural and human sources
- Why bodies may feel it
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Introduction
Many UFO sound reports are not really about sound in the ordinary sense. Witnesses often describe a pressure in the chest, a vibration through the body, a feeling of unease, or a low humming sensation that seems to come from nowhere. In some cases people say they felt an object before they clearly saw or heard it. One possible explanation involves infrasound: extremely low-frequency sound waves that sit at or below the lower limit of human hearing.
Infrasound does not automatically explain UFO encounters, and there is no evidence that all unusual aerial reports involve low-frequency acoustics. However, researchers have long known that infrasound can produce physical sensations that people sometimes struggle to identify. Because UFO witnesses frequently report vibration, pressure and bodily effects alongside strange lights or objects, infrasound has become one of the more plausible mechanisms discussed in attempts to explain at least some of these experiences. [Wikipedia]WikipediaOpen source on wikipedia.org.
Could Infrasound Explain UFO Vibrations?
The idea is straightforward. Humans hear best within a certain frequency range, but sound waves can exist below that range. Frequencies under roughly 20 hertz are generally classified as infrasound. At sufficient intensity, people may not consciously hear these frequencies as a tone, yet they can still experience physical effects. [Wikipedia]WikipediaThe HumThe HumThe Hum is a persistent and invasive low-frequency humming, rumbling, or droning noise audible to many, but not all, people in…
This matters because many UFO reports contain descriptions such as:
- A deep humming that seemed to come from the air itself.
- Vibrations felt through the ground.
- Pressure in the ears.
- A sensation that the chest or abdomen was resonating.
- Sudden anxiety or unease accompanying an aerial sighting.
- The feeling that a large object was present despite little audible noise.
These descriptions do not prove the presence of infrasound, but they resemble effects documented in studies of low-frequency sound exposure. Researchers reviewing low-frequency noise have repeatedly noted complaints involving pressure sensations, annoyance, fatigue, concentration difficulties and bodily vibration. PMC [MDPI]mdpi.comLow-Frequency Noise and Its Main Effects on Human…by J Araújo Alves · 2020 · Cited by 164 — This paper summarizes the presently availa…
One reason the idea remains attractive in UFO discussions is that infrasound can be difficult to localise. People may sense something is affecting them without being able to identify where it originates.
What Infrasound Actually Is
Infrasound consists of sound waves below the normal threshold of hearing. The ear becomes progressively less sensitive as frequencies drop, meaning very low-frequency waves often need to be extremely powerful before they are consciously heard. Even then, they may be perceived more as vibration than as sound. [Wikipedia]WikipediaOpen source on wikipedia.org.
The wavelengths involved are enormous. A 10-hertz wave can extend for tens of metres. Because of these long wavelengths, infrasound behaves differently from ordinary noise:
- It can travel long distances.
- It passes through many structures more easily than higher-frequency sound.
- It may be difficult to determine its direction.
- It can be felt through surfaces and the body.
Researchers and engineers use infrasonic monitoring for earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, atmospheric events and even meteor impacts. Large explosions and bolides entering Earth’s atmosphere can generate detectable infrasonic signatures thousands of kilometres away. [Wikipedia]WikipediaThe HumThe HumThe Hum is a persistent and invasive low-frequency humming, rumbling, or droning noise audible to many, but not all, people in…
That means an unusual vibration or pressure sensation does not necessarily require a nearby source. Under the right atmospheric conditions, low-frequency energy can travel remarkable distances.
Natural and Human Sources That Can Create Similar Sensations
One reason infrasound attracts attention in UFO investigations is that many ordinary phenomena can generate it.
Natural Sources
Nature produces infrasonic waves constantly. Common sources include:
- Thunderstorms.
- Ocean waves.
- Strong winds.
- Earthquakes.
- Volcanic activity.
- Meteor entries into the atmosphere.
Some of these sources can generate vibrations over huge areas. Atmospheric conditions may also bend or channel low-frequency waves in unusual ways, making them appear detached from their origin. [Wikipedia]WikipediaThe HumThe HumThe Hum is a persistent and invasive low-frequency humming, rumbling, or droning noise audible to many, but not all, people in…
Human-Made Sources
Modern infrastructure generates low-frequency sound as well. Potential sources include:
- Industrial machinery.
- Ventilation systems.
- Large engines.
- Heavy transport.
- Wind turbines.
- Electrical and mechanical equipment.
The well-known Taos Hum illustrates how confusing such phenomena can become. Residents have described a persistent low-frequency droning sound resembling distant machinery. Investigations have struggled to identify a single definitive cause, and not everyone reports hearing it. Many descriptions focus as much on vibration and physical discomfort as on a clearly audible sound. [Discovery UK]discoveryuk.comDiscovery UKThe Taos Hum: New Mexico's Unexplained AcousticDecember 14, 2023 — 14 Dec 2023 — Lower frequencies below 20 Hz can sometimes be felt as vibrations rather than heard as sound, and while… [thrillist]thrillist.comtaos hum mysteryInvestigating the Mystery of the Taos Hum29 Jun 2023 — The low buzz ranging from 30 to 80 Hz that had been reportedly heard by a small pe… This overlap is important because some UFO witnesses describe sensations that sound remarkably similar to reports from people experiencing unexplained environmental hums.
Why Bodies May Feel It Even When Ears Do Not
The most intriguing aspect of infrasound is that perception does not depend entirely on conscious hearing.
Research suggests that low-frequency exposure can influence physiological and psychological responses even when people are not clearly aware of a sound source. Studies have linked exposure to reports of pressure sensations, headaches, fatigue, annoyance, concentration problems and altered emotional responses, although the strength and consistency of these effects remain debated. PMC [MDPI]mdpi.comLow-Frequency Noise and Its Main Effects on Human…by J Araújo Alves · 2020 · Cited by 164 — This paper summarizes the presently availa…
Some experimental work has found measurable changes in brain activity during exposure to infrasound or very low-frequency sound. Other studies have reported changes in mood, stress responses and perception. Researchers continue to debate how strong these effects are under everyday environmental conditions, but the possibility that the body responds to low-frequency energy without a conventional hearing experience is taken seriously in acoustics research. [PMC]pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govPMCEvaluation of Low-Frequency Noise, Infrasound, and Health…by SK Chiu · 2023 · Cited by 7 — Studies have shown noise-related annoyan… [PMC]pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govin Biology and Medicine: Insights into Mechanisms…by P Kapoor · 2025 — A longitudinal, randomized experimental pilot study to investig…
This helps explain a recurring UFO witness statement: “I felt it before I heard anything.”
A person experiencing low-frequency vibration may interpret the sensation as:
- An approaching object.
- An unseen machine.
- A pressure field.
- A strange energy source.
- A presence in the environment.
The interpretation depends heavily on context.
Why Infrasound Is Often Linked to Paranormal and UFO Reports
Infrasound appears in discussions of hauntings, mysterious hums and UFO encounters for similar reasons. It occupies a grey area between hearing and feeling.
Researchers investigating reports of haunted locations have repeatedly examined whether low-frequency sound contributes to sensations of dread, anxiety or physical discomfort. Recent experiments have suggested that infrasonic exposure can alter mood and stress responses even when participants are not consciously aware of the stimulus. [The Guardian]theguardian.comResearchers discovered that even though participants could not consciously hear infrasound, exposure led to increased irritability, eleva… [Neuroscience News]neurosciencenews.comNeuroscience NewsSound of Fear: Infrasound Mimics Supernatural Feelings27 Apr 2026 — A new study reveals that infrasound, sound waves bel…
The same mechanism could influence interpretation during an unusual aerial sighting. Imagine someone notices a strange light while simultaneously experiencing:
- Chest vibration.
- Ear pressure.
- A feeling of tension.
- Ground vibration.
- An indistinct hum.
The combined experience may seem far more extraordinary than the visual stimulus alone.
This does not mean the sighting itself is imaginary. Rather, the sensory environment may shape how the event is experienced and remembered.
Where the Theory Falls Short
Infrasound is not a universal explanation for UFO reports.
Several limitations are important:
- Many UFO cases involve no reported vibration or bodily sensation.
- Low-frequency sound is difficult to measure after the fact.
- Witness descriptions are often retrospective and subjective.
- Strong physiological effects generally require relatively intense exposure.
- Some reported UFO effects go far beyond anything established in infrasound research.
Researchers also disagree about the magnitude of infrasonic effects under normal environmental conditions. While some studies report significant impacts on mood and perception, others argue that sensational claims about infrasound have often exceeded the available evidence. [Psi Encyclopedia]psi-encyclopedia.spr.ac.ukPsi Encyclopedia InfrasoundPsi EncyclopediaInfrasound - Psi EncyclopediaA hypothesis centred on about 19 Hz suggested that infrasound might produce anxiety, headach… [ScienceDirect As a result]sciencedirect.comScienceDirectThe effects of low frequency noise on people—A reviewby N Broner · 1978 · Cited by 306 — A review of the effects of low freq…, infrasound is best viewed as a possible contributing factor rather than a complete explanation.
Why the Idea Remains Relevant to UFO Noise Reports
The value of the infrasound hypothesis is not that it solves the UFO mystery. Its importance lies in explaining why some witnesses report sensations that blur the boundary between hearing and feeling.
A low-frequency source can create vibration without an obvious audible noise. It can produce discomfort without a visible cause. It can make a person feel that something large or powerful is nearby even when the sensory evidence is ambiguous. Those characteristics closely match a subset of UFO reports involving humming, pressure, resonance and bodily vibration.
For investigators, that makes infrasound one of the more plausible physical mechanisms worth considering whenever a UFO account centres on felt vibration, chest pressure, ear discomfort or a pervasive humming sensation rather than on a clearly identifiable sound. PMC [MDPI]mdpi.comLow-Frequency Noise and Its Main Effects on Human…by J Araújo Alves · 2020 · Cited by 164 — This paper summarizes the presently availa…
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Endnotes
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Source: Wikipedia
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrasound -
Source: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10562056/Source snippet
PMCEvaluation of Low-Frequency Noise, Infrasound, and Health...by SK Chiu · 2023 · Cited by 7 — Studies have shown noise-related annoyan...
-
Source: mdpi.com
Link: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/15/5205Source snippet
Low-Frequency Noise and Its Main Effects on Human...by J Araújo Alves · 2020 · Cited by 164 — This paper summarizes the presently availa...
-
Source: discoveryuk.com
Title: Discovery UKThe Taos Hum: New Mexico’s Unexplained Acoustic
Link: https://www.discoveryuk.com/mysteries/the-taos-hum-new-mexicos-unexplained-acoustic-phenomenon/Source snippet
December 14, 2023 — 14 Dec 2023 — Lower frequencies below 20 Hz can sometimes be felt as vibrations rather than heard as sound, and while...
Published: December 14, 2023
-
Source: thrillist.com
Title: taos hum mystery
Link: https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/taos-hum-mysterySource snippet
Investigating the Mystery of the Taos Hum29 Jun 2023 — The low buzz ranging from 30 to 80 Hz that had been reportedly heard by a small pe...
-
Source: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12818516/Source snippet
in Biology and Medicine: Insights into Mechanisms...by P Kapoor · 2025 — A longitudinal, randomized experimental pilot study to investig...
-
Source: sciencedirect.com
Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0022460X78903541Source snippet
ScienceDirectThe effects of low frequency noise on people—A reviewby N Broner · 1978 · Cited by 306 — A review of the effects of low freq...
-
Source: sciencedirect.com
Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003682X98000255Source snippet
J. Low Freq... Brief bursts of infrasound may improve cognitive function - An fMRI study.Read mor...
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Source: sciencedirect.com
Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0022460X78903541Source snippet
The effects of low frequency noise on people—A reviewby N Broner · 1978 · Cited by 306 — A review of the effects of low frequency noise i...
-
Source: Wikipedia
Title: The Hum
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_HumSource snippet
The HumThe Hum is a persistent and invasive low-frequency humming, rumbling, or droning noise audible to many, but not all, people in...
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Source: youtube.com
Title: Can Low Frequency Sound Waves Make You Sick?
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9yHKhwc2xcSource snippet
Infrasound...
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Source: youtube.com
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7mU7YohbK0Source snippet
The Silent Haunting: Infrasound and the Mechanics of Fear...
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Source: neurosciencenews.com
Link: https://neurosciencenews.com/infrasound-stress-cortisol-mood-30611/Source snippet
Neuroscience NewsSound of Fear: Infrasound Mimics Supernatural Feelings27 Apr 2026 — A new study reveals that infrasound, sound waves bel...
-
Source: theguardian.com
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/apr/27/spooky-feelings-in-old-houses-may-be-caused-by-boiler-sounds-study-suggestsSource snippet
Researchers discovered that even though participants could not consciously hear infrasound, exposure led to increased irritability, eleva...
-
Source: psi-encyclopedia.spr.ac.uk
Title: Psi Encyclopedia Infrasound
Link: https://psi-encyclopedia.spr.ac.uk/articles/infrasound/Source snippet
Psi EncyclopediaInfrasound - Psi EncyclopediaA hypothesis centred on about 19 Hz suggested that infrasound might produce anxiety, headach...
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Source: theguardian.com
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2003/oct/16/science.faroutSource snippet
The fear frequency | Science15 Oct 2003 — 19hz is in the range known as infrasound, below the range of human hearing, which begins at 20hz...
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Source: theguardian.com
Title: Can you hear the Hum?
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/jul/07/the-hum-mystery-noise-says-a-lot-about-modern-lifeSource snippet
The mystery noise that says a lot...8 Jul 2021 — A [low frequency hum]({{ 'low-hums-06eda3/' | relative_url }}), almost a vibration, just on the threshold of human hearing. It's n...
Additional References
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Source: nasa.gov
Link: https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ochmo-tb-035-acoustics.pdfSource snippet
OCHMO-TB-035 AcousticsThe reference sound pressure is typically the threshold of human hearing: 2 x 10-5... create possible adverse effe...
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Source: researchgate.net
Link: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/289775719_Determining_the_effects_of_low-frequency_noise_on_humansSource snippet
Determining the effects of low-frequency noise on humansNew concepts for a Large Civil Tilt Rotor vehicle under development by NASA are e...
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Source: facebook.com
Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/physicsisfun109/posts/956093750402803/Source snippet
Infrasound causes anxiety and hallucinationsInfrasound frequencies around 18-19 Hz—below normal human hearing range (20-20,000 Hz)—can ca...
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Source: scispace.com
Link: https://scispace.com/pdf/the-effects-of-low-frequency-noise-on-people-a-review-2ll3s3s5ty.pdfSource snippet
The effects of low frequency noise on people—A reviewThe primary effect due to low frequency and infrasonic noise appears to be annoyance...
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Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Link: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/science/what-is-the-mysterious-humming-noise-in-new-mexico-that-scientists-still-cannot-explain/articleshow/126312005.cmsSource snippet
Since the early 1990s, some residents of Taos, New Mexico, have reported hearing a persistent low-frequency noise known as the "Taos Hum...
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Source: frontiersin.org
Link: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/72333/exploring-therapeutic-effects-of-low-frequency-sound-on-psychological-and-physiological-healthundefinedSource snippet
Exploring therapeutic effects of low-frequency sound on...19 Nov 2025 — Non-exhaustively, it can promote confidence, independence, conce...
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Source: tinnitusjournal.com
Link: https://www.tinnitusjournal.com/articles/manifestations-of-a-lowfrequency-sound-of-unknown-origin-perceived-worldwide-also-known-as-the-hum-or-the-taos-hum.htmlSource snippet
Manifestations of a low-frequency sound of unknown origin...by FG Frosch · 2016 · Cited by 8 — The Hum and Taos Hum are the common terms...
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Source: reddit.com
Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/h9hz12/til_that_infrasound_a_sound_wave_with_frequencies/ -
Source: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7862356/Source snippet
PMCby L Ascone · 2021 · Cited by 35 — In a first ground-breaking study by Dommes and colleagues, exposure to low frequency and IS was ass...
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Source: youtube.com
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTvr8L5v8u8Source snippet
Infrasound: What You Can't Hear CAN Hurt YouResearch has strongly suggested that infrasound can cause headaches, fatigue, loss of concent...
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