Researchers at Curtin University, Australia, are analysing a low-frequency underwater sound signal that could be from the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.
The acoustic signal was picked up by underwater sound recorders off Rottnest Island on the 8 March, the day when the aircraft disappeared off radar screens.
Scientists from Curtin’s Centre for Marine Science and Technology along are collaborating with the United Nations Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) and Geoscience Australia.
Curtin’s Centre for Marine Science and Technology team member Alec Duncan said that a passive acoustic observatory 40km west of Rottnest Island had provided a potential lead.
"Soon after the aircraft disappeared, scientists at CTBTO analysed data from their underwater listening stations south-west of Cape Leeuwin and in the northern Indian Ocean," Duncan said. "They did not turn up anything of interest.
"But when the MH370 search area was moved to the southern Indian Ocean, scientists from Curtin’s Centre for Marine Science and Technology decided to recover the IMOS acoustic recorders located west of Rottnest Island.
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By GlobalDataHowever, according to Australian researchers, the possibility of the recovered signal’s connection to MH370 could be less than 10%, as it could have originated from a natural event such as a small earth tremor.
Although the signal was picked up at a time that was reasonably consistent with other information relating to the disappearance of MH370, it does not appear to be compatible with the satellite ‘handshake’ data transmitted from the missing jet that is currently considered the most reliable source, according to researchers.
Duncan said Curtin’s Centre for Marine Science and Technology team will continue to work with search authorities to analyse various recordings.
Meanwhile, Australian search coordinators issued a request for tender in a move to privatise the underwater search for MH370 in the Southern Indian Ocean.
