The Bloop was an extraordinary event that captured the attention of scientists and the public alike. The sound was detected on May 19, 1997, by the Equatorial Pacific Ocean autonomous hydrophone array, a system of hydrophones that monitor undersea seismicity, ice noise, and marine mammal population and migration. The sound was described as a low-frequency rumble, rising in frequency over about one minute, with an amplitude sufficient to be heard on multiple sensors, at a range of over 5,000 km (3,000 miles). This was an unprecedented event, with no known natural phenomenon capable of producing such a sound.
What Happened: The Bloop
The Equatorial Pacific Ocean autonomous hydrophone array, designed and built by NOAA’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL), was initially used to augment NOAA’s use of the U.S. Navy Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS), which was equipment originally designed to detect Soviet submarines. The array consisted of a series of hydrophones, underwater microphones that detect sound waves, which were used to monitor undersea seismicity, ice noise, and marine mammal population and migration. On May 19, 1997, the array picked up the unusual sound, which was later dubbed “The Bloop.” The sound was detected at a remote point in the South Pacific Ocean, west of the southern tip of South America, at coordinates 50°S 100°W.
The sound was characterized as an ultra-low frequency, high-amplitude rumble, rising in frequency over about one minute. The amplitude of the sound was sufficient to be heard on multiple sensors, at a range of over 5,000 km (3,000 miles). This was an extraordinary event, with no known natural phenomenon capable of producing such a sound. The sound was detected by multiple sensors, including the Equatorial Pacific Ocean autonomous hydrophone array and the SOSUS system.
The Bloop was initially attributed to a marine animal, such as a whale or a giant squid, but this theory was later disproven. In 2012, NOAA’s description of the sound was revised to indicate that it was consistent with noises generated via non-tectonic cryoseisms originating from glacial movements, such as ice calving or seabed gouging by ice.
The Bloop: Historical Context
The Bloop occurred during a period of significant change in the Earth’s climate. The 1990s saw a significant increase in global temperatures, with 1997 being one of the hottest years on record at the time. This warming trend was accompanied by changes in ocean circulation and ice cover, which may have contributed to the conditions that led to The Bloop. The sound was also detected during a period of increased seismicity in the region, with several significant earthquakes occurring in the preceding years.
The Bloop also occurred during a period of increased interest in underwater acoustics and oceanography. The development of new technologies, such as the Equatorial Pacific Ocean autonomous hydrophone array, allowed scientists to study the ocean in ways that were previously impossible. This increased interest in oceanography was driven by a growing recognition of the importance of the ocean in the Earth’s climate system and the need to better understand its dynamics.
Impact and Aftermath of the Bloop
The Bloop had a significant impact on the scientific community, sparking a renewed interest in underwater acoustics and oceanography. The event also highlighted the importance of monitoring the ocean for unusual sounds, which can provide valuable insights into the Earth’s climate system. The Bloop also led to a reevaluation of the capabilities of the Equatorial Pacific Ocean autonomous hydrophone array and the SOSUS system, which were found to be capable of detecting a wider range of sounds than previously thought.
The Bloop also had a significant impact on the public imagination, with the sound being described as “the loudest, most powerful sound ever detected.” The event sparked speculation about the source of the sound, with some attributing it to a massive sea monster or an underwater volcano. While these theories were later disproven, they added to the mystique of The Bloop and helped to capture the public’s imagination.
Modern Perspective on the Bloop
In recent years, the Bloop has been recognized as a significant event in the field of oceanography, highlighting the importance of monitoring the ocean for unusual sounds. The event has also led to a greater understanding of the dynamics of ice calving and seabed gouging by ice, which are important processes that contribute to the Earth’s climate system. The Bloop has also been recognized as an example of the power of oceanography to capture the public’s imagination and inspire new generations of scientists.
The Bloop also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research, combining insights from oceanography, geophysics, and glaciology to understand the Earth’s climate system. The event demonstrates the value of using multiple lines of evidence and different approaches to understand complex phenomena. As our understanding of the Earth’s climate system continues to evolve, the Bloop remains an important reminder of the complexity and mystery of the ocean and the need for continued exploration and research.
Cryoseisms, such as ice calving and seabed gouging by ice, are an important area of research in oceanography, and the Bloop has contributed significantly to our understanding of these phenomena. The event has also highlighted the importance of monitoring the ocean for unusual sounds, which can provide valuable insights into the Earth’s climate system. As we continue to explore and study the ocean, the Bloop remains an important reminder of the complexity and mystery of this vast and largely unexplored environment.
The Bloop also has implications for our understanding of the global climate pattern, highlighting the importance of the ocean in the Earth’s climate system. The event demonstrates the need for continued research into the dynamics of the ocean and its role in the Earth’s climate system. As we continue to explore and study the ocean, the Bloop remains an important reminder of the complexity and mystery of this vast and largely unexplored environment.