Random ramblings and musings from the staff
 MyNorthwest Blog
Most popular
Help us build a Fisher House
Bonneville Seattle is raising funds for the construction of a second Fisher House at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Tacoma and we need your help.

Listen: Could ugly fish be cause of West Seattle hum?

BY Josh Kerns  on September 7, 2012 @ 6:25 am (Updated: 12:31 pm - 9/7/12 )

cedargrove
Could the Midshipman fish be the source of West Seattle's mystery hum? (AP image)

The mysterious humming sound keeping some West Seattle residents awake could be coming from a fish, according to some University of Washington experts.

Reports surfaced earlier this week of the constant low frequency hum. Some speculate the source is the Lafarge plant on West Marginal Way.

But KING 5 reports scientists with the University of Washington's Marine Biology program point to the Midshipman fish, described as an ugly creature with an odd mating call.

The experts say nearby buildings or ships could be acting as a giant sub-woofer carrying the low frequency sound for miles.

Sounds fishy to us. You be the judge. Here's a clip of the original sound recorded by the West Seattle Blog (starts about 20 seconds in.)

Listen here to a clip of a recording of a Midshipman fish made by Cornell University.

What do you think?

Josh Kerns, MyNorthwest.com Reporter
Josh Kerns is co-host of KIRO Radio's Seattle Sounds (Saturday nights 7-8) and a digital content producer for MyNorthwest.com.
More MyNorthwest Blog

MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (5)


  • Add A Comment

  • hpygolkyone wrote...
    Whatthe?!............
    September 7, 2012 6:08 am
    Get real..........
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • AM Jacker wrote...
    Sounds from odd places? sounds familiar...
    September 7, 2012 8:37 am
    I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation. If it's fish? that'd be cool. Looks like I'll be making another song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI6k6T7EI2w&feature=plcp
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • NewButCurious wrote...
    Resonation
    September 7, 2012 10:03 am
    If the sound of the fish is the right frequency and the surroundings are right, amplification is not out of the question. Recall the Tacoma Narrows bridge. If this is actually the case - would be an interesting occurence - conceavable but still a unique set of conditions. To fix the sitaution - if resonation is the cause - find a way to dampen or upset the magical conditions.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Citizen of Krazy Town wrote...
    Oops fish are mating in Seattle. That's e ball game folks.
    September 7, 2012 2:03 pm
    Time to dismantle the ports and demolish all the buildings or that fish won't have the breeding environment it deserves. Thank god seattleites are all tree(fish)huggers and will understand.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Saltchucker wrote...
    Pipe it in to Seahawks stadium!
    September 7, 2012 5:06 pm
    That'd be better than that world cup noisemaker.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }