[meteorite-list] Scientists Begin Sound Wave Research Off Yucatan

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sun Jan 23 23:56:13 2005
Message-ID: <200501240455.UAA16623_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1106489268184_5?hub=SciTech

Scientists begin sound wave research off Yucatan
Associated Press
January 23, 2005

MEXICO CITY - Scientists working off Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula began
using sound waves to search for information about an asteroid that may
have wiped out the dinosaurs 65 million years ago.

The research project began despite concerns among environmental
activists who say the technology could harm whales, sea turtles and
several varieties of fish in the Gulf of Mexico.

Mexican authorities say the project is within acceptable limits and will
be closely monitored.

Sergio Chan Lugo, the Yucatan state representative for Mexico's
environmental protection agency, told local media the sound blasts began
early Friday.

The project includes marine seismologists from the University of Texas
Institute of Geophysics, the Geophysics Institute at Mexico's Autonomous
National University and Cambridge and London universities.

They are using the underwater seismic pulses to learn more about the
Chicxulub Crater, a depression measuring about 120 miles in diameter and
centered just outside the port of Progreso, 190 miles west of Cancun.

But environmentalists say the sonic blasts damage the brain and ears of
marine mammals and other species and disorient the animals so that they
beach themselves or crash into boats.

Scientists acknowledge there's evidence that points to Navy sonar
causing whales to beach themselves. But they say there's no proof that
seismic pulses have harmed marine animals, though more research is
needed to draw firm conclusions.

The Maurice Ewing, the research vessel from which the scientists are
working, is owned by the U.S. National Science Foundation.
Received on Sun 23 Jan 2005 11:55:56 PM PST


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