Guests of Húsavík whale watching company Gentle Giants were among those lucky people who experienced the remarkable solar eclipse over Iceland on Wednesday, August 12, when the Moon passed between the Earth and the Sun and briefly transformed daylight into an eerie twilight.
Thousands of visitors travelled to Iceland for the event, with western parts of the country lying in the path of totality. From other parts of Iceland, including the north, a large portion of the Sun was obscured, and the north also experienced more favorable weather conditions.
For the team at Gentle Giants in Húsavík, the eclipse raised an interesting question: How would whales and other marine wildlife react to the sudden change in light?
Scientists have previously documented changes in the behaviour of birds and insects during solar eclipses, but considerably less is known about the response of whales.
Carla Rojas Vila notes that marine mammals may notice the sudden reduction in light, although they may also simply continue their normal activities.
“One of the most fascinating questions surrounding any eclipse is how animals respond to the sudden darkness. Many species rely on natural light to regulate their daily activities, including feeding, resting, navigating, and communicating. Because of this, some animals may temporarily react as if evening has arrived,” Carla writes in her journal of the event that you can read in full on Getle Giant’s website.
“Scientists have documented a variety of responses during previous eclipses, ranging from changes in bird activity to alterations in insect behavior. However, reactions are often subtle and can vary greatly between species and individuals.
What About Whales? For those of us who spend time at sea, one question was especially intriguing: how would whales respond?
The honest answer is that we still know very little. There are not yet enough scientific studies to fully understand how different whale species react to a solar eclipse.
Some marine mammals may notice the sudden reduction in light, while others may continue their normal activities without any obvious change in behavior. Observations collected during eclipses can help researchers better understand how these animals perceive and respond to their environment.
Whether any noticeable behavioral changes occurred during this eclipse or not, events like these remind us how much there is still to learn about life in the ocean.”
Photos by: Fabio Marcelino, Clara Perez Martinez, Natalia Amigo Chaparro, Chinh Le Duc and Jongsun Lee.
Text based on an article by Carla Rojas Vila first published by Gentle Giants.
