Whale enthusiasts have a windfall finding a whale fall
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (384868)
Rockingham, Australia
July 4, 2026 7:59pm CST
In March 2023, a Chinese-led research group discovered a whale graveyard in the Diamantina Zone, about 1,600 kms west of Australia. A ‘whale fall’ is the decomposing body of a whale which has fallen to the sea floor. The expedition found five whale falls plus 476 cetacean fossils, including the skull of a previously unknown extinct beaked whale species.
Why were so many fossils found in the one area? It’s believed that the Diamantina Zone served as either a habitat or migratory pathway for several whale species. The V-shaped topography of the Zone might have helped funnel carcasses to the seabed.
The majority of the fossils were mostly beaked whale rostra (noses). These are resistant to degradation as they are very dense and rich in minerals. Also, over time, ferromanganese oxide coatings form a protective layer over the bones.
The photo was taken on our south coast. We saw whales from the lookout points but didn't get any decent photos of them.
18 people like this
16 responses
@FourWalls (87719)
• United States
5 Jul
That’s amazing! I’ve seen lots of dolphins (went on a boat ride in Clearwater, Florida and the dolphins were swimming alongside of the boat!) and manatee, but I’ve never had the privilege of seeing a whale in the wild.
3 people like this
@crossbones27 (53150)
• Mojave, California
6 Jul
I found this one about Baja California and Baja Mexico. Its kind of like youtube documentary. It is kind of valuable, both places are not as known by many people as you would think.
Anyway, they had this segment on whales that migrate to give birth to their off spring in that area. It is well known how we used to hunt them and nearly knocked them into extinction. Now they say these whale just swim up to passing boats and introduce their offspring as some kind of peace offering.
If that is true, they are smart as hell and many people who say they seen this, say the whales always show their eyes as if to say, its hard to slaughter us if you see our babies and have to look us in the eyes.
I have never seen it in person, but do know whales are smart as anything on this planet.
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1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (53150)
• Mojave, California
6 Jul
@JudyEv Yeah, I do not think any place gets that, where the mom pushes her baby up. Almost sounds sinister, like remember this kid. that's what people do make everything sound sinister. I rather get eatin in hopes of kindness than live a life where mankind hates everything.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (384868)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Jul
What a lovely video. Here, the boats that take tourists have to stay a certain distance away from the whales although it's okay if the whales come closer. I don't think there are too many interactions like what can be seen on the video. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Most of the whales we see are migrating from one area to another.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (56919)
• Canada
5 Jul
Everyone in my family, except for me (I choose another excursion as I get sea sick) went whale watching while we were in Victoria BC. They seemed to love it, mostly, except that the girls both fell asleep on the ride. But I guess that just meant that they were really relaxed.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (44410)
• Denver, Colorado
5 Jul
Say that 10 times fast!
Interesting. I've never even thought about where sea dwellers go to die, honestly.
Interesting. I've never even thought about where sea dwellers go to die, honestly.1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (44410)
• Denver, Colorado
5 Jul
@JudyEv - For them that's like discovering a gold mine!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (384868)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Jul
@teamfreak16 That's how they would have felt.
1 person likes this
@Ineeddentures (38491)
•
5 Jul
I'd love to see where all the bones are on the bottom of the sea
Wonder how long previously unknown extinct beaked whale species.has been extinct
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (384868)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Jul
@Ineeddentures That's possible too.
1 person likes this
@Ineeddentures (38491)
•
6 Jul
@JudyEv
Maybe they aren't extinct, but just never been seen before
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (210742)
• United States
5 Jul
That's interesting. U will out it in the category of who knew!
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (137490)
• Marion, Ohio
5 Jul
It's amazing how many new animals are still being found. Both extinct and living
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (99074)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
5 Jul
That is amazing. Always wanted to see a whale up close.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (129151)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Jul
Considering I have grown up on the beaches of the southern US, and still consider myself a beach/ocean lover, I have never seen a whale in real life. It's always been a dream of mine to see one in the wild. Maybe some day.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (129151)
• Gainesville, Florida
8 Jul
@JudyEv I don’t think they do. Or, if they do migrate through our area, they don’t come close enough to the coast for us to see. We mostly see sharks, dolphins and sea turtles.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (24296)
• United Kingdom
5 Jul
Whales are so huge & dramatic when they suface & jump. We saw lots off the coast of Mexico.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (384868)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Jul
It's amazing to see them leap out of the water. They are just so powerful.
