Researchers Researched Nikumaroro Underwater Imagery
An expedition was planned to investigate an underwater shape first spotted in 2015 satellite imagery.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Geography
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Researchers have proposed an expedition to investigate an underwater object near Nikumaroro identified in 2020 satellite imagery. The target was first observed on April 27, 2015, following sediment dispersal from Tropical Cyclone Pam.
Why it matters
The mission aims to resolve whether the object, theorized by Richard Pettigrew to be the remains of Amelia Earhart's aircraft, is present at the site. The expedition follows years of forensic and archaeological efforts to link artifacts on the island to Earhart's final flight.
Satellite analysis by Michael Ashmore in 2020 revealed an indistinct shape off Taraia Point. This anomaly appeared after Tropical Cyclone Pam shifted lagoon sediments in 2015, based on imagery comparisons dating back to 2015.
The players
Richard Pettigrew
An independent researcher who theorized that storm activity exposed aircraft wreckage.
TIGHAR
A non-profit organization focused on identifying historic aircraft remains through archaeological field study.
Michael Ashmore
A researcher who utilized satellite imagery analysis to identify anomalies at the Nikumaroro site.
The details
The search centers on the theory that storm surges from Tropical Cyclone Pam exposed debris on the lagoon floor. Previous investigations at the site included 2017 searches by forensic dogs at a campsite and the discovery of aircraft-related handicrafts by TIGHAR (The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery). Skepticism persists due to the ambiguity of the satellite imagery and the lack of physical verification of the object's composition.
Timeline
1938: A New Zealand survey team photographed the Nikumaroro lagoon.
1940: Thirteen bones were recovered from the island.
April 27, 2015: The underwater object first became visible in satellite imagery.
2017: Forensic dogs surveyed a campsite on the island.
2020: Michael Ashmore identified the shape via satellite analysis.
The Tech Race
This effort follows the precedent set by TIGHAR's long-term archaeological survey of Nikumaroro. It seeks to integrate satellite-based remote sensing into the ongoing investigation of the island's potential role in the 1937 disappearance.
The expedition remains in the planning stages with no finalized date for a field deployment. Success would require deploying underwater detection technology to verify if the shape is indeed an aircraft.
The takeaway
The effort highlights how environmental shifts, such as cyclone-driven sediment displacement, continue to create new opportunities for satellite-based exploration. Observers should track any future announcement of expedition funding or site-survey permits for the Nikumaroro lagoon.
Further reading
For context on how remote sensing identifies features in remote landscapes, see the latest updates on Geography.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The National Geographic Society.
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