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From recent recordings the scientists have deduced that the bottom of the Ocean is not very quitet.
BEACON TRANSCRIPT – Based on a recent research project, it would seem that we have a lot more to explore here, on Earth, then out there, in space. In an attempt to find out what’s happening in the depths of our blue planet, a team of scientists dropped an underwater mike in the Mariana Trench. It seems that the deep dark blue like a raging banshee bathing during an earthquake.
The Mariana Trench, dubbed the deepest underwater formation found on Earth, is situated east of the Mariana Islands, in the Pacific Ocean. Having more than 2.550 in length, the canyon-like formation’s deepest known point, also called Challenger Deep, is located at the southern end of the canyon and has a depth of over 11.000 meters.
For a long time, scientists have been wondering what goes on in the deepest crevices of the ocean. Unfortunately, due to the enormous underwater pressure and the need for specialized exploration equipment, this dark patch of water has yet to be explored so far.
Previous attempts at exploring the Mariana Trench only managed to map a slight segment of Challenger Deep. In fact, the only vessel to reach the deepest region of the Mariana Trench was the remote-controlled TAIKO vehicle, which reached 10.915 meters.
Now, apart from the exploration attempts, the scientists have been wondering about what goes on in there. Several brilliant thesis centered on the Trench’s biota showed that there are several species of bacteria thriving at the bottom of the crevice. Moreover, for quite a while, the science have also pondered upon the Trench’s noise level.
You would reckon that it must be pretty quiet down there considering that only a handful of marine species can survive the tremendous pressure. Well, you were wrong to believe that. NOAA’s latest experiment showed that it’s pretty noisy down there.
Using a hydrophone (underwater microphone), a team of scientists wanted to see or rather to see what goes on in Challenger Deep. The results were indeed surprising: apart from the soothing noises produced by baleen whales, the microphone capture a five magnitude Earthquake and the low rumble-like noise of a ship’s engine.
Moreover, after analyzing the mike’s flash drive contents, which recorded 23-days- worth of sounds, the researchers also discovered the distinct noise made by a class 4 typhoon event.
So, there you have it: the ocean isn’t quiet or anything, it’s as loud as any busy intersection. The deep dark blue sound like a raging banshee and scientists are trying to figure out a way to improve the sensitivity of the recording process.
According to NOAA, a second project is scheduled to start in 2017. Another hydrophone will be lowered into Challenger Deep where it will stay for an extended period.
Photo credit:wikipedia
