You Can Help Solve a Centuries-Old Mystery on the Northern California Coast
The nature of Northern California is full of so much beauty, and possibly just as much mystery. There is still so much we can learn about our natural surroundings and now you can help solve a centuries-old mystery by just keeping your eye out along the Northern California coast.
Recently, a group of by-the-wind sailors (Velella velella) and a species of pelagic gooseneck barnacles washed ashore along the Point Reyes National Seashore, giving scientists a rare glimpse into the movement of these sea creatures:
Immediately, a professor at the University of North Carolina, Asheville used the incident to remind people that the mysterious movement of these creatures has plagued scientists for centuries and that reporting a sighting can help solve questions surrounding the animals:
“There are some mysteries so big that they will take the whole world to solve them,â€Â Helm wrote on Twitter.
The movement of these jellyfish has remained a mystery and maybe you can help solve it. Have you seen any of these sea creatures wash ashore along the Northern California coast? If so, please report your findings to JellyWatch or iNaturalist.