The channel tunnel was built in order to allow the rapid and easy movement of people between France and England. However, once we found out what the French are actually like, we decided to put Eurostar in charge of the trains to prevent such movement.

Given that it cost quite a bit of money, we really ought to try and find a new use for the channel tunnel.

It's pretty obvious that the word that springs naturally to mind at this point is "didgeridoo" - that instrument which represents all that is best about Australian music, art, science, industry, technology, cuisine, culture and history. It is, in essence, a hollow stick.

The other vital component of a didgeridoo, other than the hollow stick, is a pair of lips. Placed at one end of the didgeridoo and attached to the face of an Australian, the lips make the raspberry which, in turn, resonates in the didgeridoo.

In the case of the Channel Tunnel, the lips will have to be several tens of metres across. They will need to be made of silicone rubber, and fitted across the tunnel entrance in Folkestone. A very hefty compressor will be needed to blow through the lips, into the Tunnel.

The natural frequency of a didgeridoo is determined largely by the volume of air enclosed by the tube - larger didgeridoata (for such is the plural) have deeper resonances than smaller ones. The Channel Tunnel will therefore be a little on the bassy side, with a resonant frequency measured in millihertz. This will be well below the hearing range of humans, but should be well-received by elephants and, possibly, some of the larger marine mammals. This in itself makes the entire enterprise worthwhile, as I am sure you'll agree.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Aug 31 2015

If the connecting tube was supported by balloons then it could be called 'didgerigibledidoo'.
-- xenzag, Sep 01 2015


There may be overtones in the human-audible range. A large speaker would do nicely to test this by performing a frequency sweep with high amplitude to determine the frequency response at various points along the tunnel. Superconducting magnets, windings, and drive electronics could minimize the required power bills.

Actually, we have the technology to perform this experiment. Take 2 cars, one with an excessive subwoofer system and the other with a microphone installed. Go to the tunnel at 3AM when traffic is light to do the experiment.
-- sninctown, Sep 01 2015


Didgeridon't do this.
-- Custardguts, Sep 01 2015


+1 for a giant raspberry blower aimed at France.
-- Tulaine, Sep 01 2015


Tabloid Headline: "MAD MAX BUCHANAN THREATENS TO BLOW UP CHANNEL TUNNEL!"
-- AusCan531, Sep 01 2015


// BLOW UP//

Technically, it would be "blow down" ...
-- 8th of 7, Sep 01 2015


There was a tunnel which connected New York to London a few years ago. People in London could look into it and see what they were up to in the colony, and vice versa to see Her Majesty's subjects polishing her jewels.
-- xenzag, Sep 01 2015



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