Scientists have made significant progress in the search for answers regarding the mysterious disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. A recent study conducted by experts in Florida suggests that the key to solving this decade-old mystery lies in the shells of barnacles found on debris from the plane. These barnacle shells contain valuable information about the water temperatures they were exposed to during their existence. By analyzing the temperature records of these crustaceans, researchers believe they can determine the location where the barnacles first attached themselves to the debris, thereby revealing the spot where MH370 crashed into the water.
While the exact fate of MH370 remains unknown, it is widely believed that the plane went down in the Indian Ocean due to the discovery of scattered debris. On March 8, 2014, the aircraft took off from Kuala Lumpur, bound for Beijing, before disappearing without a trace. This tragic event led to an extensive international search effort, costing approximately $200 million. However, the search was eventually suspended in 2017. Nevertheless, this new research, led by Gregory Herbert from the University of South Florida, offers a glimmer of hope for renewed investigations.
The inspiration for this study came when Professor Herbert observed photographs of barnacle-covered debris that washed ashore on Reunion Island. He recognized that the geochemistry of these barnacle shells could provide vital clues to the crash location, prompting him to contact the search investigators. Barnacles, like other shelled marine invertebrates, grow their shells daily, resulting in internal layers similar to tree rings. These layers contain specific chemical compositions determined by the water temperature at the time they formed. By analyzing the chemistry of each layer, researchers can trace the barnacles’ migration patterns and deduce the varying ocean temperatures they encountered during growth.
To conduct their study, Professor Herbert and his team performed controlled growth experiments with live barnacles. Through chemical analysis of the new layers that formed, they were able to determine the ocean temperature experienced by the barnacles during each growth phase. In collaboration with experts from the University of Galway, they combined this temperature data with oceanographic modeling to simulate the drift path of the plane’s debris. The results suggested that the largest barnacles found on the debris may have colonized shortly after the crash, potentially indicating the crash location itself.
Although the study primarily focused on smaller barnacles from the debris, Professor Herbert emphasizes the importance of investigating the oldest and largest barnacles, which have not yet been made available for research. He believes that the method employed in this study could narrow down the search areas within the Indian Ocean and potentially locate the plane even if it did not crash along the previously searched “seventh arc.” The researchers hope that this breakthrough can reignite the search for MH370, bringing closure to the grieving families and providing long-awaited answers. The quest to unravel this aviation mystery continues, fueled by the promise of scientific advancements and renewed determination.
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