Strange Sounds in Mariana Trench Linked to Bryde’s Whales

The Mariana Trench, the world’s deepest ocean trench, has been the source of mysterious sounds since 2014. Initially detected during an acoustic survey, these noises, dubbed “biotwang,” have now been identified as calls from Bryde’s whales. A recent study published in Frontiers in Marine Science utilised AI to analyse over 200,000 hours of audio recordings, confirming these calls help the whales locate one another.

The Biotwang Phenomenon

Described as resembling the sounds of sci-fi starships, the biotwang includes two distinct types of noises: a low, grumbly sound and a high-pitched, metallic ringing. 

While the initial sources were believed to be large baleen whales, the unique characteristics of the biotwang did not match known calls until the Bryde’s whales were confirmed. 

These calls are vital for the whales’ communication, functioning like a marine version of “Marco Polo.”

Insights from AI Analysis

The research team employed advanced AI tools to meticulously sift through extensive audio data captured from monitoring stations across the Mariana Archipelago.

 By matching the noise patterns with the whales’ migration behaviours, they established a clear connection. 

Notably, the biotwang was only detected in the northwest Pacific, indicating a specific population of Bryde’s whales is responsible for the phenomenon.

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