Buzz
Thousands of unsolved mysteries exist worldwide, and some of them involve strange sounds. Scientists have been unable to explain certain noises that have occurred globally. Some of these sounds repeat over time, while others are one-time occurrences. While some are recent, others have been documented for centuries. Here are a few of these enigmatic sounds that continue to baffle researchers.
10. The Bloop
In 1997, an unusual ultra-low-frequency sound was picked up by multiple listening stations thousands of miles apart. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) identified this sound as the Bloop, attributing it to non-tectonic cryoseisms, or ice quakes, caused by glacial movements. Originating near the southern tip of South America, the sound rapidly increased in frequency within a minute and was detected by numerous sensors.
While NOAA suggests ice quakes as the most probable cause, the Bloop has been compared to noises made by living creatures. Its rapid frequency shifts resemble sounds produced by marine animals. However, the Bloop’s volume far exceeds any recorded whale or marine animal noise. If the theory of an unknown marine creature is true, it would imply the existence of a colossal, undiscovered beast in the ocean depths.
9. Julia
On March 1, 1999, NOAA captured another mysterious sound, named Julia. It was likely caused by a massive Antarctic iceberg. The sound, resembling a soft cooing, was detected across the Equatorial Pacific Ocean hydrophone array. Its origin was vaguely traced to an area between Cape Adare and the Bransfield Straits. Occurring just two years after the Bloop, could Julia also hint at a hidden sea monster?
8. Colossi of Memnon
In Luxor, Egypt, two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, known as the Colossi of Memnon, stand tall. Damaged in a 27 BC earthquake, one statue developed a fissure when its upper half collapsed onto the lower half. Locals soon reported hearing a strange sound at dawn, described by Greek historian Strabo as resembling singing.
In AD 199, Roman emperor Septimius Severus ordered repairs to the earthquake damage. While the statues remain standing today, the mysterious sounds ceased after the repairs. Scientists theorize that rising heat and humidity caused dew within the porous rock to evaporate at dawn, producing the singing sound. However, the true explanation remains a mystery.
7. The Whistle
In 1997, NOAA detected another enigmatic sound called the Whistle. Recorded on July 7 by the Eastern Pacific hydrophone, it resembled earlier volcanic signals from the Mariana volcanic arc. However, unlike those, the Whistle’s origin couldn’t be pinpointed, despite its similarity to sounds from erupting submarine volcanoes.
To identify a sound’s source, at least three recording devices must detect it. The Whistle was only captured by the northwest hydrophone, suggesting it traveled a considerable distance before being recorded. Its source remains a mystery to this day.
6. The Hum
For the past 60 years, a peculiar sound has troubled people worldwide. Known as the Hum, it affects roughly 2% of the global population, with reports from places like New Mexico, Canada, England, Scotland, and New Zealand. Described as resembling an idling vehicle, the Hum often disrupts sleep. Some speculate it’s not a physical sound but rather a result of heightened focus on ambient noise.
Many who have experienced the sound report hearing it primarily indoors, with its intensity increasing at night. Various theories attempt to explain its origin, ranging from wireless communication towers and underground tunneling to electromagnetic radiation, power lines, radio waves, and even extraterrestrial signals. The sound’s sporadic appearance and disappearance make it difficult to trace. While it might seem like a plot from a horror movie, the truth is that this phenomenon remains an unsolved mystery.
5. Upsweep
The 1990s were a peculiar and active period for NOAA. In 1991, they detected a haunting sound in the Pacific Ocean, dubbed the Upsweep. This sound consists of a series of rising tones that shift from low to high frequencies. Its intensity fluctuates with the seasons, peaking in spring and autumn. While the exact cause of these variations is unknown, environmental changes along the sound’s path are likely responsible.
Scientists have yet to confirm the source of Upsweep, but undersea volcanic activity is a leading theory. The interaction of hot lava with cold seawater may generate the sound. Although Upsweep is still detected today, its volume has significantly decreased since its initial discovery.
4. Slow Down
Slow Down, another mysterious sound detected in 1997, continues to be heard intermittently. Recorded by the Equatorial Pacific Ocean hydrophone array, it earned its name from its seven-minute descent in frequency. NOAA noted that the sound was strong enough to be picked up by three sensors nearly 2,000 km apart, marking it as a unique phenomenon never heard before or since.
The sound is most likely attributed to an iceberg grounding itself, though theories range from giant squids to other unknown sources. While its exact origin remains unclear, it is believed to originate somewhere off South America’s west coast.
3. Skyquakes
Picture thunder amplified—this is what some have reported hearing for nearly two centuries. These loud noises have been documented worldwide, including in Italy, Australia, and the United States, often near large bodies of water. Possible explanations include massive waves hitting cliffs or gas escaping from underwater vents.
Other theories suggest rare sand dune noises, meteors entering the atmosphere, solar shock waves, volcanic eruptions, or distant thunder. While modern skyquakes might be linked to military aircraft breaking the sound barrier, this doesn’t explain occurrences dating back to the 1800s.
2. 52-Hertz Whale
Blue whale calls typically range between 10 Hz and 39 Hz, while fin whale calls are around 20 Hz. However, in 1992, a unique whale call was detected at an unusually high frequency of 52 Hz by navy hydrophones in the North Pacific. This sound is believed to come from a hybrid species, possibly a mix of blue and fin whales.
Dubbed the 'world’s loneliest whale,' this creature has been the subject of fascination. While its song differs from other whales, there are indications that other whales can hear and possibly respond to it. The 52-Hertz whale has also inspired numerous movies, books, and songs.
1. UVB-76
UVB-76, also known as the Buzzer, is a Russian short-wave radio station. The mystery lies not in the sound it produces—a repetitive buzz tone—but in its purpose. The signal occasionally includes interruptions with words, names, or numbers. In 2010, the station relocated after a storm, with its former location traced to a remote Russian town near a military base.
A small logbook discovered on the military base contained records of messages transmitted by UVB-76, confirming its operation by the Russian military. While messages continued after the old site was identified, the new location remained unknown. UVB-76’s signal was broadcast from multiple transmitters nationwide, complicating efforts to pinpoint its source.
The true enigma lies in the purpose of these peculiar buzzes, beeps, and spoken words. Some theories suggest the Russian government maintains the signal as a contingency for nuclear war or other conflicts that could disrupt communication systems.
