Hypoxia and Medicine

Effects of Supersonic speed by Passing Jets on wildlife...sonic boom occurs at low and high altitudes?

Canadian Forces jets flying from Cold Lake, Alberta are restricted from flying at supersonic speeds over certain areas. Discuss the possible effects on wildlife subjected to regular supersonic air traffic. Explain why high altitude supersonic flights affect a greater area but have a diminished impact. I need this by tomorrow, this question will be on my physics test on Sound and Waves. Thank you. The altitude of the sonic boom is not very important. I need to know the EFFECTS of a supersonic jet and its sonic boom on wildlife that it is flying above of.

Public Comments

1. The loud BOOM will initially startle the wildlife, causing stress reactions in their nervous and endocrine systems. However, over time, the animals will get used to it. The chronic problems from sonic boom exposure, however, are hearing loss (leading to failure to detect predators), and becoming inured to loud, percussive sounds, which means they won't run when hunters are shooting at them.
2. If you limit the question the sonic booms effect on wildlife, then there isnt one. A sonic boom is the sound made when a jet passes the sound barrier...and is essential compressed air. If a neurotic animal lived near the flight path of a consistantly supersonic flightpath then it would simply move, being annoyed at most. in the previous repley things like hearing loss was mentioned...that is an effect of the decibels of a noise and unless the neurotic animal lives on the wing ..they are ok