The 52-Hertz Whale: An Enduring Ocean Mystery That Scientists Still Can't Solve
By
Darren Orf
Slow-proofed and worth the wait. Worth its weight in flour.
Summary
A mysterious whale, known as the "52-hertz whale," has been calling out at a frequency of 52 hertz—far higher than any known whale species. For decades, scientists have tracked this unique call across the Pacific Ocean but have never been able to locate or identify the creature producing it. The article explores this enduring ocean mystery, the technology used to detect it (including SOSUS hydrophone arrays originally built for Cold War submarine surveillance), and the scientific intrigue surrounding an animal that sings at a frequency no known creature should be able to produce.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledFor decades, a single whale has been calling out at a frequency no known species uses.
Scientists still can't find it.
The array proved effective during the Cold War, but as geopolitical tensions eased...
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