Satellite Tracking Shows Turtle's U-Turn Days Before the Tongan Volcano Eruption

There have been many recorded instances of animals sensing danger before humans. Most examples involve pets like cats who scientists theorise may be able to sense P-waves (primary waves), helping them respond to earthquakes faster than humans.

This ability to "sense danger" is not limited to land animals. Last January 15th, Tonga was shaken with an undersea volcanic eruption and 15-meter-high tsunami that killed three people. Just a couple days prior, a female green sea turtle was seen making a giant U-turn away from the volcano.

The sea turtle's name was Tilly. After becoming stuck in a net, she spent nearly three years recuperating at the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, Australia. November last year, Tilly was finally released back into the wild just off the coast of Cairns, complete with a special transmitter tagged to her body.

Tilly's giant U-turn, shown on a Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef tracking map, baffled and amazed scientists. She had been travelling a whopping 1,867 kilometers towards the Solomon Islands over 47 days, but decided to turn back two days before the volcanic eruption. It was possible she might have sensed the initial vibrations.

#Turtle #SeaTurtle #Animal #Tonga #Volcano #Tsunami

Image source: Christian Miller; Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef; Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centreā€‹

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