Story of the Week #9
The mystery of noise from the Arctic Ocean
Friday June 9th 2023
In 1991, a mysterious noise appeared in the depths of the Arctic Ocean, which was nicknamed the ‘Bloop’. The noise was detected by hydrophones (underwater microphones) thousands of kilometres away, and was recorded for about a minute and a half.
The sound was very loud, with an amplitude more than 250 times greater than that of a blue whale, the noisiest animal on the planet.
The scientists who studied the recording put forward several hypotheses as to the origin of the noise. Some have suggested that it could have been a giant iceberg breaking off, while others have speculated that it could have come from an unknown animal, or even a legendary creature such as the Kraken.
However, most scientists now agree that the noise was probably of natural origin, and could be linked to the formation of sea ice. The noise was detected in a region known for its strong currents and rapid temperature changes, which could explain the unusual noises.
Le mystère du « Bloop » reste donc largement non résolu, mais il reste l’un des plus grands mystères de l’océan Arctique, fascinant les scientifiques et les amateurs de mystères depuis des décennies.
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