A team led by the University of South Florida said Wednesday that research into barnacles could help determine the fate of flight MH370, which disappeared over the Indian Ocean in 2014.
Gregory Herbert, a geoscientist at South Florida, said debris believed to be from MH370 that washed up on the coast of Africa last year was covered in barnacles that could provide clues about the origin of the debris.
His findings in a study were published Wednesday in AGU Advances.
"The flaperon (part of the wing) was covered in barnacles and as soon as I saw that, I immediately began sending emails to the search investigators because I knew the geochemistry of their shells could provide clues to the crash location," Herbert said.
Barnacles grow their shells on a daily basis and the growth patterns are similar to tree rings. Each ring, researchers said, can reveal details about water temperature at the time they formed.
French researchers were among the first to examine the barnacles on the debris. They found the barnacles may be old enough to have formed shortly after the crash.
"If so, the temperatures recorded in those shells could help investigators narrow their search," Herbert added.
The search thus far has covered thousands of miles off the coast of Australia in an area known as The Seventh Arc. The variation in water temperatures there could help pinpoint the location of MH370 wreckage.
Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, or MH370, disappeared March 8, 2014, en route from Beijing to Kuala Lumpur with 239 people aboard. Investigators believe it crashed somewhere in the Indian Ocean.
The Malaysian government said the Boeing 777 did not deviate from its flight path by accident, concluding the plane was almost certainly flown manually to wherever it hit the water. It was not on autopilot.
Herbert's analysis on barnacles was published in the journal AGU Advances, with support from the University of California, Davis, and the National University of Ireland Galway.
Artificial Intelligence Analysis
Defense Industry Analyst (8/10): The article is relevant to the defense industry, as it discusses the potential application of barnacle research in understanding the fate of MH370. The article ties in to the ongoing investigation into the planes disappearance, and the potential for barnacles to provide clues regarding the location of the debris. The article also highlights the Malaysian governments conclusion that the plane was not on autopilot, which is significant for the defense industry, as it indicates that the plane was manually operated. Stock Market Analyst (6/10):
The article may be of limited relevance to stock market analysts, as it does not directly address stock market trends or investment opportunities. However, it does provide insight into the ongoing investigation into the fate of MH370, and could be useful in understanding the potential future impacts of the investigation on the stock market. General Industry Analyst (7/10):
The article is relevant to general industry analysts, as it discusses the potential application of barnacle research in understanding the fate of MH370. The article highlights the Malaysian governments conclusion that the plane was not on autopilot, which is significant for the industry, as it indicates that the plane was manually operated. It also discusses the potential for barnacles to provide clues regarding the location of the debris, which could be useful in understanding the potential future impacts of the investigation on the industry.
Analyst Summary
: The article published in AGU Advances discusses the potential application of barnacle research in understanding the fate of MH370, which disappeared over the Indian Ocean in 201
4. The research, led by the University of South Florida, suggests that the barnacles on the debris believed to be from the plane could provide clues about its origin. It also highlights the Malaysian governments conclusion that the plane was not on autopilot, indicating that it was manually operated. Defense industry analysts may find the article relevant, as it discusses the potential application of barnacle research in understanding the fate of MH370 and the implications of the plane being manually operated. Stock market analysts may find the article of limited relevance, as it does not directly address stock market trends or investment opportunities. However, it could be useful in understanding the potential future impacts of the investigation on the stock market. General industry analysts may find the article relevant, as it discusses the potential for barnacles to provide clues regarding the location of the debris and the potential future impacts of the investigation on the industry.The articles content can be compared with significant events and trends in the space and defense industry over the past 25 years. The disappearance of MH370 and the subsequent investigation into its fate is a notable event in the industry. In recent years, defense industry analysts have increasingly focused on the potential of new technologies for providing insights into the fate of MH370 and other aircrafts. This article is an example of this trend, as it highlights the potential of barnacle research in understanding the fate of the plane.Investigative
Question:
- 1. What other technologies have been used in the investigation of MH370?
- 2. Are there any potential challenges or limitations to using barnacles in understanding the fate of MH370?
- 3.
What other applications could barnacle research have in the defense industry?4. What have been the implications of the MH370 investigation for the defense industry?
5. What has been the impact of the MH370 investigation on the stock market?
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