A question (or two) for seismographers...
When Swissair 111 hit the water off Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada in September 1998, a "seismic event" was recorded. Investigators therefore had a very precise time -- and location -- of impact.
So, if no seismic event was recorded within the appropriate time frames for AF447, can one conclude that:
1 The aircraft did not impact the water with sufficient force to leave such a signature (which would tend to eliminate a scenario of an "uncontrolled plunge")? Or,
2 There may not be sufficiently sensitive seismic information available for that area? (I have no idea the practical science / instrumentation behind this, but I do know the USGS, for instance, receives / records even very small seismic events from all over the globe.)
I am assuming that no such event was recorded because, if it were, the impact location would be known.
Anyone?