At the top of the world we
slowly cast our sonic nets
beneath the waves,
in search of
the secrets that these
soundscapes suppress.
Spectrograms oscillate
with aquatic effervescence,
mimicking every muffled sigh
that reverberates beneath
pristine, crystal waters.
Dancing across the pixels,
a medley of melodies
slowly reveal their secrets.
Rhythmic trills concoct
a family of bearded seals,
as the gruff exchanges
of two sparring walruses are
exposed by a clanging of bells.
The lethargic whistle of
a distant beluga slowly creeps
across the display, before
it erupts into colour –
a jubilant riposte to the
bowhead’s adept sonata.
Oceanic patterns coalesce
to form an acoustic map
of its inhabitants,
making visible the consequences
of our own cacophony.
Ribbon seal sounds recorded in the northern Bering Sea (Image Credit:
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