Cuvier's beaked whales have been found beached due tio intense sonar activity

The researchers hope to stimulate further work in the area and eventually prove to what extent sonar signals disturb marine animals.

Dr Cranford and his team used computer models to imitate the effects of underwater noise on the rare species of whale - the Cuvier’s beaked whale, which has been found beached due to intense sonar on several occasions in the last few years. They found that sound travelled through the throat and then into the bony ear complex via a unique fatty channel and not, as previously believed, through the lower jaw.

To create the model, the group used Finite Element Modelling (FEM) and Computed tomography (CT) scanning techniques. The FET technique is also used in engineering to mimic the effects of an earthquake on a building. Dr Cranford of San Diego State University took the first ever CT scan of a large whale ten years ago and this achievement prompted further research in the area.

Dr Cranford said: “I think that the methods developed for this research have the potential to revolutionise our understanding of the impact of noise on marine organisms.”

The work is published in the Institute of Physics’ Journal of Bioinspiration & Biomimetics.

By Leila Sattary