Millais mystery hum: Suggestions pour in
Monday 2nd November 2009, 2:56PM GMT.
David Capps has been suffering sleepless nights as a result of the noise which has yet to be identified, despite the best efforts of the Public Health Department. Picture: JON GUEGAN (00821867)
IT may sound like a case for X-Files detectives Mulder and Scully, but Islanders have been keen to help solve the mystery of the unexplained humming in St Ouen.
On Friday the JEP reported that several residents in an area dubbed the ‘Millais Triangle’ have been left puzzled by a bizarre low-frequency noise that buzzes day and night.
The noise began about four years ago, but this year got so loud that one resident, trust company chairman David Capps, contacted the Public Health department. Although the team established that there was a noise, they were unable to say what was causing it.
Since the story was published, dozens of people have contacted the JEP to say that they too can hear the noise, while others have suggested what could be causing it. One reader suggested that the wind farm on the Normandy coast could be the culprit.
The story attracted dozens of postings on the JEP’s website – www.thisisjersey.com – with some readers suggesting that water boreholes in the area could be creating the humming noise. Do you know what is causing the humming noise? E-mail news@jerseyeveningpost.com or post a message below.
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Just such a noise has been plaguing me in St Clement, Rue De Causie for the last year or so. During the summer it got a lot worse, especially at night when trying to sleep. I have done some research and their is a wikki page called ‘The Hum’ which suggests it is a world wide phenomenon. I have even turned off the mains power in my house and the noise continues. I originally thought it could be the noise of ferries going to/from france, but it is constant so can’t be. maybe a small substation up from my house, but have put my ear against it and not very noisy. thought it may be the farm across the road but have walked over there and no sounds at night. Havn’t had my ears tested, but when staying elsewhere am not troubled. Have even thought about moving house!
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It may be caused by the Sand Dunes..
In Namibia, Southern Africa, there are Dunes called,”The musical dunes.”
Billions of moving grains of sand can create an harmonic hum.
Ask me another!
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Personally i think its the sound of Guernsey people complaining. You can hear it drifting across the water on a clear day.
I’m surprised that environmental health don’t consider this option more seriously, as it can easily be mitigated using a series of ‘parabolic mufflers’placed at strategic points on the northern cliffs, between Gronez and Plemont.
Any thoughts?
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Colin, our dunes don’t tend to move much because they’re mostly anchored into place by grasses!
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As a fruitarian, I am more inclined to believe this is the sound of vegetables and plants growing. They have long been known to emit sub-sonic, low level noise. I don’t think this is the time for inter-island sqaubbling as there is a real crisis not only here, but further afield for our suffering vegetation.
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In a reply to the user who said that Guernsey people are causing this noise, may I say that I have never heard anything so silly in all my life!!
Firstly, planning and evironment will never, ever approve a series of so-called ‘parabolic mufflers’.
Secondly, with a prevailing south-westerly wind across the islands year round, the unsettling noise of Guernsey people whinging will almost always drift towards the Cherbourg peninsular, rendering it harmless to St Ouens.
Clearly other options must be considered, and my own theory involves cattle in rural areas near Millais producing larger than usual amounts of methene gas, which is then dispersed at night, causing the hum effect.
Perhaps a farmer can confirm this is an option?
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Have read up a little on the Taos Hum. There is the suggestion that it is two waves of opposite direction but similar frequency colliding causing pressure waves that carry energy to the ocean floor, the waves pound against the sea floor generating a constant vibration. The Pacific Coast of North America believed to be the biggest contributor and the West coast of Europe being a smaller contributor.
Are the troubled people of St Ouen generally of a less-young age? Other well-documented hums (including the Bristol hum) were mostly heard by people over the age of 50.
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This may or may not be of interest : )
http://www.thehomemadeviewer.com/stouenhumproject.html
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I live in trinity and have been plagued by a loud humming noise for weeks now and I think it could be an air conditioning unit on the monstrosity of a potato shed that Jersey Royal company have erected in a field close by. Any thoughts?
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The humming saga has finally run it’s course and the parish of Trinity has been left with a 4ft wide 30ft drop crevice caused by burst underground water pipes which were rumbling for years.
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Has anyone measured the frequency of the hum?
If it is 60 Hertz it might be coming from America or the Caribbean.
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These rumblings and hummings need expert attention. Wit and humour is well and good but straightforward maintenance is even better.
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