Posted on 05/13/2005 1:49:51 AM PDT by andie74
Increased solar activity causing disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field may cause whales to run aground in the North Sea, say researchers. Analysis of whales stranded between 1712 and 2003 shows that more are stranded when solar activity is high.
Writing in the Journal of Sea Research, scientists propose that whales use the Earth's magnetic field to assist navigation like homing pigeons do.
As the Sun disrupts the magnetic field whales can become confused, they say.
Animal magnetism
The Sun goes through a cycle with an average length of about 11 years, though individual cycle lengths have ranged from 8 to 17 years.
Some evidence exists that shorter cycles produce a higher flux of radiation from the Sun.
Dr Klaus Vaneslow and colleagues from the University of Kiel have analysed the lengths of solar cycles and find that 87 of the 97 reported sperm whale strandings over the past 300 years in the North Sea region occurred when the length of the Sun's activity cycle was below average.
They argue that whales may be like pigeons and dolphins in having a magnetic sense based on small crystals of magnetite found in certain cells.
Pigeons use such cells to sense the Earth's magnetic field to help in their navigation. Pigeon enthusiasts are well aware that the birds can go astray during times of high solar activity, when disturbances in the magnetic field confuse them.
"It may be the same for whales," Dr Vaneslow told the BBC News website. "Sperm whales migrate long distances with very little visual clues as to where they are going. It would be unsurprising if they too had a magnetic sense.
"We believe that our research showing that more whales are beached during times when the Sun disrupts the Earth's magnetic field makes it a strong possibility that they do."
The numbers of cetacean - whale, dolphin and porpoise - strandings around the UK have doubled over the last 10 years.
Marine mammal experts say an increase in fishing activity, which leads to more "by-catch", is a major cause of the problem.
Campaigners also claim increased noise in the oceans, coming form ships' engines and sonar, is a significant factor in whales losing their way.
Campaigners also claim increased noise in the oceans, coming form ships' engines and sonar, is a significant factor in whales losing their way.
Now HERE we FINALLY get to the how we are causing the problem with our pesky war machines and desire to eat fish!
Maybe these "campaigners" can have a personal interview with the sharkies :)
No doubt this phenomenon is linked to crop circles.
Bush's Fault!!!!
If you find a dead stranded whale or dolphin around the UK coast, contact:
England: 020 794 25 155 (The Natural History Museum)
Scotland: 01463 243 030 (Scottish Agricultural College)
Wales: 01348 875 000 (Marine Environmental Monitoring)
If you find a live stranded whale or dolphin around the UK coast, contact:
Scotland: The Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit on 01261 851696 or the SSPCA on 08707 377722
England and Wales: BDMLR on 01825 765546 or RSPCA on 0870 5555999
"The numbers of cetacean - whale, dolphin and porpoise - strandings around the UK have doubled over the last 10 years."
So, HUMAN public schools aren't the only schools dumbing down their broods these days. (So much for the "evolution" of Man!)
(smirk)
Pigeons use such cells to sense the Earth's magnetic field to help in their navigation..."
Even if this were true, wouldn't they still need a map?
Increased solar activityAnd the question is:
What three words to you never see or hear in any story or discussion about melting polar ice sheets?
How does increased solar activity affect student pilots in the Washington, D.C. area or Greyhound riding brides-to-be in Georgia?
BWAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA!
And on that note, my daughter is sleeping soundly, and I am going to try to get some shuteye.
I don't have all the answers, but I know what the important questions are.
Huh, I guess this explains why Michael Moore tends to lose his bearings during periods of major solar flare activity
Honestly, I thought the whole whale thing was caused by the fact that the Bush administration didn't push through the Kyoto treaty.
Crop circles are made in cereal crops, barley, wheat,rye. Thanks
Thanks for clearing all of these things up. Now I know why my compass points east during periods of sun spot activity.
How did you know?
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