Researchers from Cardiff University in Wales have detected a critical signal that may pinpoint the crash location of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which disappeared in 2014. According to a report by The Telegraph, the researchers discovered a 6-second signal recorded by underwater microphones in the Indian Ocean on March 8, 2014. This signal could potentially provide precise data on the time and location of the crash.
The Cardiff University team explained that a 200-ton aircraft falling at 200 meters per second would release kinetic energy equivalent to a small earthquake, which could be detected by underwater microphones thousands of kilometers away. The researchers identified two underwater listening stations that recorded such signals: one in Cape Leeuwin, Australia, and the other on Diego Garcia, a British overseas territory.
Dr. Usama Kadri from Cardiff University noted that while Cape Leeuwin made a recording at the designated times, there was no corresponding record from Diego Garcia, raising questions about the signal’s origin. Kadri suggested conducting a simulation of similar energy releases in the region. If similar signals are recorded during these tests, it could precisely identify the location of the missing Malaysian aircraft.
Kadri emphasized the significance of this technology in responding to oceanic accidents, stating, “Unfortunately, we have not found a signal with the required precision to initiate a new search for the missing aircraft. However, if the recommendations are followed by the authorities, the relevance of the observed signals could be evaluated, potentially shedding light on the location of the missing Malaysian aircraft.” He also recalled that this technology had previously helped locate an Argentine submarine.
What Happened?
On March 8, 2014, Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 took off from Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia, heading to Beijing, China. Communication with the plane was lost 38 minutes after takeoff. The aircraft veered off its planned route and headed south towards the Indian Ocean. The search operations became the most expensive in aviation history, but apart from a few debris pieces, no significant trace of the aircraft was found.
The new signal discovered by Cardiff University researchers might represent a significant step towards solving the mystery of the missing plane.
