Noise and Vibration Levels in Artificial Polar Bear Dens as Related to Selected Petroleum Exploration and Developmental Activities

Abstract

The noise and vibration levels resulting from seismic testing, drilling and transport were measured in artificial polar bear dens at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska (USA). It was concluded that the dry and wind-beaten arctic snow muffles both sound and vibrations extremely well and it seems unlikely that polar bears in their dens will be disturbed by the type of petroleum-related activities measured here, providing those activities do not take place within 100 m of the den.