Since the 1960s, scientists have detected a low-frequency seismic pulse that occurs roughly every 26 seconds. The signal has been consistently recorded by seismographs around the world and is traced to a source in the Gulf of Guinea, off the coast of West Africa, near the Bight of Bonny.
Why It’s a Mystery:
Despite decades of observation, the exact cause of the phenomenon remains uncertain. Several theories have been proposed:
🌀 1. Ocean Wave Interaction
- Some researchers believe the rhythmic pulse could be generated by ocean waves interacting with the continental shelf or seafloor in a rhythmic fashion.
- This type of interaction could act like a natural resonance, creating a repeating pressure pulse in the Earth’s crust.
🌋 2. Volcanic or Tectonic Activity
- Others have suggested it might be caused by subsurface volcanic activity, or the movement of magma or fluids deep beneath the Earth’s crust.
- However, there is no known active volcano exactly at the pulse’s origin.
🛰️ What We Know:
- The signal is real, global, and remarkably consistent.
- It can be detected by modern seismometers across continents.
- It appears to originate from the same area, which suggests a fixed geological or oceanographic source.
🚧 Why We Don’t Know More:
- The region is remote and under-studied, with limited seismic instrumentation nearby.
- Political, logistical, and funding challenges have made in-depth local investigations difficult.
- Most insights are based on remote sensing and modeling, rather than direct measurements in the region.
🧠 Scientific Interest:
This phenomenon fascinates geophysicists because it:
- Challenges our understanding of Earth’s background seismic activity.
- Could improve models of Earth’s internal processes, ocean-land interactions, or subsurface dynamics.
🔗 In Summary:
Yes, there really is a mysterious, 26-second repeating seismic signal coming from the Gulf of Guinea. It remains unsolved, though leading theories involve wave-seafloor interactions or deep Earth processes. It’s one of those quiet but persistent mysteries in geoscience—real, measurable, and still not fully explained.
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