Tracking Blue Whale dives in 4 dimensions

[Angus Wilson]

I'm sure most of us have wondered what really goes on when whales
fluke and disappear from sight for minutes on end. Well, here's a
fascinating movie showing the convoluted path of a Blue Whale during a
couple of dives.

http://media.aaas-science.org/services/player/bcpid614958745001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAADFlexpk~,loqkjB2yVJxZQOYgHHvPaY0JnZAYG4d7&bctid=1369795469001

This comes from an interesting study by Jeremy Goldbogen (Cascadia
Research Collective, Olympia, Washington, USA) on feeding actions of
Blue and Fin Whales using data logging devises that are attached via
suction cups. The devises record depth, sound, and other parameters as
the whales swim. After a set amount of time, the tag falls off, floats
to the surface and is recovered. For more of the story, check out this
preview in Science magazine.

http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2012/01/a-whales-virtual-reality.html

Cheers, Angus Wilson
New York City, USA