Standing on certain shorelines at night, one might hear deep rumbling noises from the ocean. For centuries, sharp-eared fishers, lighthouse keepers, and sea kayakers have been haunted by these late-night sounds. Now, for the first time, scientists have recorded these thrums and traced them to humpback whales, proving that these marine mammals have a far larger vocabulary than previously thought.
Research Findings
Fred Sharpe from the Alaska Whale Foundation and his colleagues set up land-based microphones to capture the mysterious ocean noises. Tips from Alaskan coastal communities helped pinpoint the best recording locations. In addition to previously documented trumpets, blows, and shrieks made by humpback whales, the researchers recorded very low-frequency rumbles resembling distant thunder, as well as new sounds including pizzle, howls, and hooting noises. These night thrums traveled through the air and could be heard up to 6 miles (10 km) away.
Implications for Whale Safety
Sharpe, who presented his findings on 18 May at the Astrobiology Science Conference in Madison, Wisconsin, suggests that the thrums may originate from specialized structures in the whale's blowhole that prevent water from entering when they dive. Understanding these sounds could help develop methods to prevent whales from being struck by ships. Additionally, the research could inform how we overcome perceptual biases and design systems to search for intelligent extraterrestrial life.
Broader Significance
This discovery not only expands our understanding of whale communication but also highlights the importance of studying animal sounds for practical applications. By decoding these low-frequency thrums, scientists hope to reduce human-caused threats to whales and potentially apply similar listening techniques to detect signals from other worlds.
