Scientists Have Unraveled the Mystery of the Sounds From the Mariana Trench
Mysterious sounds from the ocean depths have been one of the most baffling enigmas in recent years. Now we know where they come from.
These strange sounds were first discovered during a submarine exploration near the Mariana Trench in 2014. Researchers likened them to the sounds of spacecraft engines in the famous film saga Star Wars. For 10 years, scientists were unable to identify their source.
The sounds, originally called "biotwang," were not characteristic of any known underwater phenomenon. A new study published in the journal Frontiers has finally solved this mystery.
"Biotwang" is not caused by some cosmic or supernatural force, but by Bryde's whales (Balaenoptera edeni), which use these specific sounds to locate one another.
The whale hypothesis arose immediately after the sounds were discovered, but scientists had no evidence to support it. Now, they have found 10 whales swimming near the Mariana Islands and noticed that nine of them produced a distinctive sound. Digital technology has advanced significantly since 2014, and artificial intelligence has now helped scientists sift through more than 200,000 audio recordings containing various ocean sounds.
Scientists had doubts about their whale hypothesis because "biotwang" could only be heard in the Northwest Pacific, even though Bryde's whales live in a much larger area. However, they have now concluded that these unique sounds are produced by a specific population of these whales living in the Mariana Trench region.
Furthermore, researchers at NOAA's Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center noted that since 2016, the frequency of sound recordings has been increasing, which scientists attribute to rising ocean temperatures: more whales are visiting the previously mentioned area.
The discovery solves a decade long mystery and offers insights into whale communication and deep sea behavior. Understanding Bryde's whale sounds can help researchers monitor populations and assess the impact of climate change on marine life.
Using AI to analyze ocean soundscapes is a breakthrough in marine biology, revealing new phenomena and emphasizing the need to protect vulnerable ecosystems as climate change alters marine habitats.