TechMysterious North Sea holes: Porpoises involved

Mysterious North Sea holes: Porpoises involved

In the shallow waters of the North Sea, millions of round or oval-shaped holes are found, varying in width up to 197 feet and about 4.3 inches deep. According to Live Science, these formations connect, forming larger structures which, in places, resemble Venn diagrams. Earlier theories attributed their presence to methane gas escaping from the seabed.
Porpoise
Porpoise
Images source: © Wikimedia Commons | Marcus Wernicke (Tuugaalik), Porpoise.org Porpoise Conservation Society (www.porpoise.org)

Mysterious holes at the bottom of the North Sea

Recent studies, as reported in the "Communications Earth & Environment" journal, propose a novel explanation. Porpoises, not methane, frequenting this part of the sea, are likely the architects behind these holes. These mammals burrow in the seabed while foraging, suggesting that they, along with other large sea creatures, significantly influence the seabed's landscape.

Jens Schneider von Deimling, a geologist from the University of Kiel, was initially skeptical of the methane hypothesis. To test its accuracy, he led an expedition in the North Sea, using advanced equipment, including a special echosounder, to map the seabed and its shallow waters in detail. Their analysis showed no links to methane emissions.

The quest to demystify the North Sea's seabed did not end there. Researchers employed a multibeam echosounder, noted for its high-resolution seabed imaging capabilities, as highlighted by Live Science. This technology enabled the team to examine the depressions precisely, debunking the theory of methane-related conical shapes. The breakthrough came after consulting biologists and porpoise experts, casting new light on the phenomenon.

Further investigations involved modeling habitats for eels and porpoises, overlaying this data with oceanographic information, such as currents. Findings revealed that these habitats overlapped significantly with the studied areas. Echo-sounding data corroborated their hypothesis: regions predicted to host porpoises and similar species coincided with a higher density of holes. The scientists deduced that the larger holes might be cavities formed by sea currents, areas frequented by porpoises. They are optimistic about obtaining photographic proof of porpoises actively creating these seabed holes in the near future.

Related content
© essanews.com
·

Downloading, reproduction, storage, or any other use of content available on this website—regardless of its nature and form of expression (in particular, but not limited to verbal, verbal-musical, musical, audiovisual, audio, textual, graphic, and the data and information contained therein, databases and the data contained therein) and its form (e.g., literary, journalistic, scientific, cartographic, computer programs, visual arts, photographic)—requires prior and explicit consent from Wirtualna Polska Media Spółka Akcyjna, headquartered in Warsaw, the owner of this website, regardless of the method of exploration and the technique used (manual or automated, including the use of machine learning or artificial intelligence programs). The above restriction does not apply solely to facilitate their search by internet search engines and uses within contractual relations or permitted use as specified by applicable law.Detailed information regarding this notice can be found  here.