A MYSTERIOUS pulsing sound deep below the ocean’s surface has been confirmed to have a ‘biological source,’ according to scientists.
But the mystery beast has evaded researchers since the 1980s.
Researchers used long hydrophone arrays towed behind a ship, at a depth of roughly 200 metres underwater, to record the sound[/caption]
The quacking also emanated from Antarctic waters in later years, suggesting the sounds were made by Antarctic Minke Whales[/caption]
“The sound was so repeatable, we couldn’t believe at first that it was biological,” researcher Ross Chapman from the University of Victoria, said in a statement.
“But in talking to other colleagues in Australia about the data, we discovered that a similar sound was heard quite often in other regions around New Zealand and Australia.”
It makes it unlikely, therefore, that the sound belongs to a singular, inanimate source, like an underwater volcano or submarine.
The eerie noise was first detected in July 1982 by researchers in New Zealand who had been trying to capture the soundscape of the South Fiji Basin.
Researchers used long hydrophone arrays towed behind a ship, at a depth of roughly 200 metres underwater, to record the sound..
An array of hydrophones, an underwater device that records sounds, can pick up low-frequency noises from miles away.
But the pulse, which has been dubbed ‘Bio-Duck’ because of its ‘quack’-like resemblance, was unidentifiable at the time.
While researchers have since concluded that the sound must belong to a living creature, they are unsure exactly what kind of animal it is coming from.
The quacking also emanated from Antarctic waters in later years, suggesting the sounds were made by Antarctic Minke Whales.
Although it might not be coming from just one animal.
In fact, the sound may even be a conversation between multiple creatures, according to Chapman.
“We discovered that there were usually several different speakers at different places in the ocean, and all of them making these sounds,” he said.
“The most amazing thing was that when one speaker was talking, the others were quiet, as though they were listening.
“Then the first speaker would stop talking and listen to responses from others.”
Antarctic Minke Whale
Facts about Antarctic Minke Whales:
- The species is a relatively small whale, weighing in at under 10 tonnes and between 9.7m and 10.7m in length.
- Despite their size, they can hold their breath for up to 25minutes.
- Antarctic Minke Whales have two blowholes on top of their pointed heads.
- Their chins have deep grooves from their throats to their chests.
- Unlike common Minke Whales that have white markings on their flippers, the Antarctic breed are unbranded.
- They feed on krill, small crustaceans.
- These whales typically spend time on their own, or in small groups of two or three others.
- Although at certain times of the year, large groups of up to 60 whales congregate to socialise.
- From November to January, large numbers of Minke Whales reside in Antarctica.
- They live primarily in Antarctica, but can migrate northwards to warmer waters in the winter months.
- It is a mystery where exactly they go, though they have been spotted as far as Australia and Brazil.
