Oldest-known whale song recording provides new insight into ocean sounds
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Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution discovered the oldest-known recording of a humpback whale song, captured in March 1949 in Bermuda. The recording, found on a digitized disc from a Gray Audograph, predates the recognized discovery of whale song by almost two decades. Scientists testing sonar systems and performing acoustic experiments for the US Office of Naval Research originally captured the sound, unaware of its significance. The recording provides valuable insight into the ocean soundscape of the late 1940s, which was much quieter than today's oceans. This discovery allows scientists to study how human-made noises, like increased shipping, impact whale communication and behavior, as whales can modify their calls based on environmental noise.
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AI-ExtractedThe recording predates scientist Roger Payne’s discovery of whale song by nearly 20 years.
Whales can vary their calling behavior depending on noises in their environment.
The song is that of a humpback whale and was recorded in March 1949 in Bermuda.
Oldest-known whale song recording discovered on decades-old audio equipment.
The ocean of the late 1940s was much quieter than the ocean of today.
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