(read more about Professor Thompson's research here)
Bruce Thompson's research in biomechanics concerns the seismic signatures of the footfalls and calls of elephants. Elephants, though massive, step lightly when walking. Using data gathered from captive elephants in the United States, he is developing a model of the mechanics of an elephant leg. This will be used to optimize future sensors for population counts of African forest elephants.
More remarkable is the observation that elephant vocalizations generate seismic vibrations in addition to the acoustic ones. Bruce and his students are analyzing seismic calling data from captive elephants and forest elephants to determine the propagation characteristics of these signals. They are also building equipment that will help them determine if elephants respond to the seismic signals that they generate.
Enjoy viewing these research photos:
May 2002: Dzanga Bai, Central African Republic
June and November 2001: Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park, Syracuse, NY
June 2001: The Elephant Sanctuary, Hohenwald, Tennessee
