Understand
Expedition sets out to investigate remote Pacific island for Amelia Earhart's plane wreckage
Overview
A research team from the Archaeological Legacy Institute and Purdue University has departed on an expedition to Nikumaroro Island in the Pacific Ocean to inspect the 'Taraia Object', a submerged anomaly visible in satellite and aerial imagery dating back to 1938, which some believe could be the remains of aviator Amelia Earhart's vanished 1937 flight.
Key points
- Amelia Earhart vanished in 1937 while attempting to circumnavigate the globe with navigator Fred Noonan.
- The expedition team departed Kiribati on a vessel to travel 830 miles to Nikumaroro Island, expecting to arrive by Monday.
- Researchers are targeting the 'Taraia Object', spotted in a lagoon in 2020 satellite imagery and visible in 1938 aerial photographs.
- Some rival explorers, such as historic aircraft wreck specialist Ric Gillespie, remain sceptical, suggesting the object is a fallen tree or that the plane broke apart long ago.
- Previous modern expeditions using sonar and marine archaeology have failed to locate the actual aircraft.