Key facts
- Researchers have arrived at Nikumaroro Island to investigate possible wreckage of Amelia Earhart's plane.
- The expedition is a collaboration between the Archaeological Legacy Institute and Purdue University.
- The potential wreckage, known as the Taraia Object, was first spotted in satellite imagery in 2020.
- Coconut crabs on the island pose a safety risk to the research crew, requiring them to sleep on their ship.
- Amelia Earhart disappeared in 1937 while attempting to circumnavigate the globe.
A team of researchers has arrived at Nikumaroro Island in the Pacific Ocean to investigate a potential wreckage site believed to be that of famed aviator Amelia Earhart, who disappeared in 1937. The expedition, a collaboration between the Archaeological Legacy Institute (ALI) and Purdue University, landed on Monday after a five-day voyage.
The researchers aim to inspect the "Taraia Object," first identified in satellite imagery in 2020, which some believe to be Earhart's plane. However, skepticism exists, with some theories suggesting it could be a natural formation.
This marks the first authorized trip to Nikumaroro Island in seven years and the first visit to the Taraia Peninsula in over 15 years. The research vessel, the Marin Mainiku, reached the island after crossing 830 nautical miles.
Expedition leader Rick Pettigrew expressed optimism about potentially solving the mystery of Earhart's and navigator Fred Noonan's disappearance. The plan for Tuesday involves navigating a reef channel to prepare for landing, followed by transporting equipment and clearing vegetation. On Wednesday, the team will search for magnetic metals on the Taraia Peninsula and use dredging equipment to inspect the object, located about 10 feet from shore in shallow water.
Weather conditions and the presence of large coconut crabs are significant concerns. The crabs, known for their size and nocturnal hunting, necessitate the crew sleeping on their ship for safety. These crabs are the world's largest land-dwelling invertebrates and can lift up to 28kg.