According to new research from Louisiana State University (LSU) and the University of Florida, the rate of shark attacks may be related to the changing phases of the moon.
Research published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science reported more shark attacks than average occurring during times of higher lunar light, and fewer attacks than average during periods of high lunar light. lower light space. The finding is based on 55 years of global shark attack data collected between 1960 and 2015.
Steve Midway, an associate professor in LSU’s department of oceanography, said in a press release: “It’s not a matter of more light at night to see sharks. Most shark attacks are not. happens during the day”. “However, the moon can exert other forces on the Earth and its oceans in much more subtle ways – for example, the gravity we see affects the tides.”
It’s still too early to say if the moon’s illumination is to blame for the shark attacks, the researchers say, but this new information could help shape our understanding. about future shark attacks.
“The abundance of data we have would suggest that there are some things worth continuing to look at,” Midway said.
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