A new theory suggests that underwater microphones may have detected signals related to the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which vanished in 2014. Researchers from Cardiff University found a six-second signal from a hydrophone in the Indian Ocean, prompting calls for further investigation. They advise replicating a successful search method used for the ARA San Juan submarine, combining controlled explosions with hydrophone data to potentially locate the missing aircraft or reassess previous search conclusions.
Unraveling the Mystery of Flight MH370
As authorities consider the latest recommendations, there’s a glimmer of hope that we may finally uncover the fate of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. Over a decade has passed since this Boeing 777 vanished on March 8, 2014, diverting from its flight path with 239 passengers on board. The question that has haunted the world since then is how such a significant aircraft could disappear without a trace, especially in an era filled with advanced radar and satellite technology. Researchers from Cardiff University have proposed a fascinating theory: the crash might have been detected by underwater microphones.
Signals Detected in the Indian Ocean
In June 2024, the Telegraph reported a groundbreaking discovery by Welsh researchers who identified a signal that might provide clues to the mystery of MH370. Their investigation began with an essential observation: a 200-ton airplane crashing at a velocity of 200 meters per second generates immense kinetic energy, comparable to a small earthquake. Interestingly, hydrophones—underwater microphones—can detect even minor seismic activities from up to 5,000 kilometers away. Two hydroacoustic stations are positioned within this detection range in the Indian Ocean, where the plane is believed to have gone down: one in Diego Garcia, south of India, and another at Cape Leeuwin, along Australia’s west coast. Notably, satellite data suggests that MH370 continued flying for nearly five hours after losing contact with air traffic control, heading south over the Indian Ocean and likely crashing after depleting its fuel.
The Cardiff team analyzed data from both hydroacoustic stations. While the Diego Garcia station recorded no signals, the Cape Leeuwin station detected a six-second signal around the time the aircraft is thought to have crashed. Dr. Usama Kadri, an applied mathematics researcher, noted, “This raises questions about its origin.” Although the findings are not definitive, they provoke curiosity: “Given the sensitivity of hydrophones, it’s improbable that a large aircraft striking the ocean surface wouldn’t create a detectable pressure signature, especially for nearby hydrophones,” he explained.
In light of these findings, researchers have urged for further examination. However, the ambiguity of the data poses challenges: “Unfortunately, we haven’t identified a signal with sufficient certainty to initiate a new search for the missing plane. Still, if the appropriate authorities act on our recommendations, we could evaluate the significance of these detected signals and potentially reveal the location of flight MH370.”
These recommendations involve replicating an experiment previously utilized to locate the military submarine ARA San Juan, which sank off the coast of Argentina in November 2017. During that investigation, controlled explosions were set off in the ocean to mimic the intensity of the submarine’s implosion. The sounds captured by hydrophones during these detonations were then compared to those recorded at the time of the submarine’s sinking, ultimately leading to its discovery at a depth of nearly 3,000 feet, approximately 290 nautical miles from the Argentine shoreline. The Cardiff researchers propose that a similar approach, employing controlled explosions or air cannons with energy levels akin to those linked with flight MH370, could be executed along the seventh arc—the hypothetical line where the plane is believed to have crashed.
Two potential scenarios could emerge from this endeavor. If the explosion sounds align with the signals detected on the day of the disappearance, it would dramatically narrow down the search area for the plane. Conversely, if the hydrophone recordings do not match, it would indicate a need to reevaluate the timeline or location previously established by search efforts.