During the CEFTS 2012 meeting at the Bartlett Research Center in Charlotte, NC we had the opportunity to see a demonstration of a sonic tomography scan of a tree. This technology uses sound waves to detect rotted areas in a tree trunk. After the meeting, Steve Resh of Allegany College acquired funding to buy a sonic tomography tool for his program. On 11/17/15 Steve graciously came to Penn State Mont Alto to demonstrate how sonic tomography works. Working with second year students in Beth Brantley’s Forest Ecosystem Protection class, two trees were imaged, a yellow buckeye and a larch.
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- Taking Notes
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- Unpacked instruments
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- Probe attached
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- Probe connection
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- Steve Resh discusses with students
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- Generating sound waves on each probe
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- Checking that the probes are working well.
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- Tomograph showing rotted area
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- Our second tree
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- Attaching the machinery
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- First tomograph revealing a hollow trunk
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- Data from a second level added to make a 3D image
Click on any image to see the album full size.
It was a very successful afternoon. All of us at Mont Alto want to thank Steve for his help!