Branchoria Cryptozoology Cryptozoology

Evidence-led pages on famous cryptids, real discoveries, folklore, and scientific tests.

Within Loch Ness

Why Sonar Did Not Find Nessie

Operation Deepscan found ambiguous deep-water contacts, but later evidence did not turn them into a confirmed large animal.

On this page

  • What Operation Deepscan detected
  • Debris, thermal effects and animal possibilities
  • Why ambiguous signals are not proof
Preview for Why Sonar Did Not Find Nessie

Introduction

Before environmental DNA studies became a major tool in the search for unknown animals, sonar surveys were among the most serious attempts to determine whether a large creature lived in Loch Ness. The most famous of these efforts, Operation Deepscan in 1987, produced several unexplained sonar contacts that attracted worldwide attention. However, those contacts never became evidence for a lake monster. The key reason is simple: sonar can detect an object or disturbance underwater, but it does not automatically identify what caused it. Subsequent investigation showed that the signals were ambiguous, could not be reliably repeated, and had plausible non-monster explanations. As a result, the sonar results remained unexplained observations rather than proof of an undiscovered large animal.[Science Focus]sciencefocus.comScience FocusOperation Deepscan: The hunt for the Loch Ness MonsterDecember 9, 2020 — 9 Dec 2020 — While unexplained and unlikely to repr…Published: December 9, 2020Sonar Contacts illustration 1

What Operation Deepscan Detected

Loch Ness Monster / Operation Deepscan / Adrian Shine / Good Morning Britain (1987)

Channel: Saints and Spectres

Open on YouTube

Debris, Thermal Effects and Animal Possibilities

One reason sonar contacts are difficult to interpret is that lakes contain many features capable of producing unusual echoes. Sound waves can reflect from suspended debris, submerged objects, layers of water with different temperatures, and concentrations of biological material. Loch Ness is especially challenging because it is deep, dark and contains complex underwater conditions.[Science Focus+2lochnessproject.org]sciencefocus.comScience FocusOperation Deepscan: The hunt for the Loch Ness MonsterDecember 9, 2020 — 9 Dec 2020 — While unexplained and unlikely to repr…Published: December 9, 2020

The Loch Ness DNA Test Results That Terrified Scientists!

Channel: Did You Know?

Open on YouTube

Why Ambiguous Signals Are Not Proof

Loch Ness Operation Deep Scan | River Monsters

Channel: River Monsters™

Open on YouTube

        See on Amazon</a></div></div></article><article class="fr-book-card"><a class="fr-book-cover" href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Abominable+Science%21+by+Daniel+Loxton&amp;i=stripbooks&amp;tag=searcht-20" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer" aria-label="Open Abominable Science! on Amazon"><span class="fr-book-cover-fallback">Book</span><img class="fr-book-cover-thumb" src="https://books.google.com/books/content?id=kTsgAAAAQBAJ&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;img=1&amp;zoom=1&amp;edge=curl&amp;source=gbs_api" alt="Cover for Abominable Science!" loading="lazy" decoding="async" fetchpriority="low" referrerpolicy="no-referrer" onerror="this.hidden=true;this.closest('.fr-book-cover').classList.add('fr-book-cover-placeholder');"></a><div class="fr-book-info"><h4 class="fr-book-title"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Abominable+Science%21+by+Daniel+Loxton&amp;i=stripbooks&amp;tag=searcht-20" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer" title="Abominable Science!">Abominable Science!</a></h4><p class="fr-book-author">By Daniel Loxton, Donald R. Prothero</p><p class="fr-book-desc">Shows why ambiguous signals are not strong proof.</p><div class="fr-book-actions"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Abominable+Science%21+by+Daniel+Loxton&amp;i=stripbooks&amp;tag=searcht-20" class="fr-amazon-btn" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer">
        See on Amazon</a></div></div></article><article class="fr-book-card"><a class="fr-book-cover" href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Hunting+Monsters+by+Darren+Naish&amp;i=stripbooks&amp;tag=searcht-20" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer" aria-label="Open Hunting Monsters on Amazon"><span class="fr-book-cover-fallback">Book</span><img class="fr-book-cover-thumb" src="https://books.google.com/books/content?id=mN2oCwAAQBAJ&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;img=1&amp;zoom=1&amp;edge=curl&amp;source=gbs_api" alt="Cover for Hunting Monsters" loading="lazy" decoding="async" fetchpriority="low" referrerpolicy="no-referrer" onerror="this.hidden=true;this.closest('.fr-book-cover').classList.add('fr-book-cover-placeholder');"></a><div class="fr-book-info"><h4 class="fr-book-title"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Hunting+Monsters+by+Darren+Naish&amp;i=stripbooks&amp;tag=searcht-20" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer" title="Hunting Monsters">Hunting Monsters</a></h4><p class="fr-book-author">By Darren Naish</p><p class="fr-book-desc">Addresses search methods and evidential standards.</p><div class="fr-book-actions"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Hunting+Monsters+by+Darren+Naish&amp;i=stripbooks&amp;tag=searcht-20" class="fr-amazon-btn" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer">
        See on Amazon</a></div></div></article><article class="fr-book-card"><a class="fr-book-cover fr-book-cover-placeholder" href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=The+Monsters+of+Loch+Ness+by+Roy+P.+Mackal&amp;i=stripbooks&amp;tag=searcht-20" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer" aria-label="Open The Monsters of Loch Ness on Amazon"><span class="fr-book-cover-fallback">Book</span></a><div class="fr-book-info"><h4 class="fr-book-title"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=The+Monsters+of+Loch+Ness+by+Roy+P.+Mackal&amp;i=stripbooks&amp;tag=searcht-20" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer" title="The Monsters of Loch Ness">The Monsters of Loch Ness</a></h4><p class="fr-book-author">By Roy P. Mackal</p><p class="fr-book-desc">Discusses searches and observations related to the Loch.</p><div class="fr-book-actions"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=The+Monsters+of+Loch+Ness+by+Roy+P.+Mackal&amp;i=stripbooks&amp;tag=searcht-20" class="fr-amazon-btn" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer">
        See on Amazon</a></div></div></article></div><div class="fr-section-footer"><div class="fr-browse-links" aria-label="Browse more on Amazon"><span class="fr-browse-links-label">Browse more on Amazon:</span><a class="fr-browse-more" href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=The+Loch+Ness+Monster&amp;i=stripbooks&amp;tag=searcht-20" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer">The Loch Ness Monster</a><a class="fr-browse-more" href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Abominable+Science%21&amp;i=stripbooks&amp;tag=searcht-20" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer">Abominable Science!</a><a class="fr-browse-more" href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Hunting+Monsters&amp;i=stripbooks&amp;tag=searcht-20" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer">Hunting Monsters</a></div><p class="fr-disclosure">As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.</p></div></div></section>

Amazon book picks

Further Reading

Books and field guides related to Why Sonar Did Not Find Nessie. Use these as the next step if you want deeper reading beyond the article.

Browse more on Amazon: Field to Lake Monsters, Sea Serpents, and Other Mystery Denizens of the Deep books Hunting Monsters The Loch Ness Monster

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

eBay marketplace picks

Marketplace Samples

Live-tested eBay searches with available results related to this page.

UsingUSA
Browse more oneBay.co.uk

Example items shown for inspiration; availability and pricing can change. Branchoria may earn a commission if you purchase through outbound eBay links.

Endnotes

1. Source: Wikipedia
Title: Loch Ness Monster
Link:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loch_Ness_Monster

2. Source: lochnessproject.org
Link:https://www.lochnessproject.org/ARCHIVE%20ROOM/papershtml/LOCH_NESS_scottish_naturalist.HTM

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>The Scottish Naturalist JournalTethered debris has now been proved to exist in Loch Ness but none has… sonar contacts, reported by the…</p>

3. Source: lochnessmystery.blogspot.com
Link:https://lochnessmystery.blogspot.com/2011_09_18_archive.html

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>LOCH NESS MONSTER: 2011-09-1819 Sept 2011 — Interestingly, the thermocline can be seen on sonar scans as well, which leads to the questio…</p>

4. Source: lochnessproject.org
Link:https://www.lochnessproject.org/FIELDWORKGROUNDTRUTH/DEEPSCAN%20OP/DEEPSCAN%20OPERATION%20LOCH%20NESS.html

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Operation DeepscanThe contacts remain unexplained. It is still true that most sonar expeditions have reported echoes they don't understan…</p>

5. Source: lochnessmystery.blogspot.com
Title: adrian shine describes good nessie
Link:https://lochnessmystery.blogspot.com/2020/10/adrian-shine-describes-good-nessie.html

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>It was a worldwide media event as attention focused on…Read more…</p>

6. Source: sciencefocus.com
Link:https://www.sciencefocus.com/nature/operation-deepscan-the-hunt-for-the-loch-ness-monster

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Science FocusOperation Deepscan: The hunt for the Loch Ness MonsterDecember 9, 2020 — 9 Dec 2020 — While unexplained and unlikely to repr…</p>
Published: December 9, 2020

7. Source: lochness.com
Title: deepscan cruise
Link:https://lochness.com/whats-on/deepscan-cruise/

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Experience the loch's majestic beauty and explore its depths aboard Deepscan, named after the famous 1987 Operation Deepscan. Our private…</p>

Additional References

8. Source: youtube.com
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgjwzfXhU2s

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>AI Analyzed 66 Years of Loch Ness Sonar Data — The Pattern…For 66 years, every major sonar expedition at Loch Ness recorded unexplaine…</p>

9. Source: facebook.com
Title: The Loch Ness Monster continues to enchant us all!
Link:https://www.facebook.com/BritishCouncilRomania/posts/the-loch-ness-monster-continues-to-enchant-us-all-in-1987-operation-deepscan-sea/1273077581530706/

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>1987, Operation Deepscan searched Loch Ness with advanced sonar tech, finding no proof of Nessie but detecting mysterious sonar…</p>

10. Source: facebook.com
Link:https://www.facebook.com/groups/470765477828717/posts/1483197603252161/

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>been broken. White 0-20 % Green 20-40 % Blue 40- 60%…Read more…</p>

11. Source: thelovat.com
Link:https://thelovat.com/historical-locations/the-loch-ness-monster/

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>r this target could not be located again and…Read more…</p>

12. Source: historyhit.com
Title: the legend of the loch ness monster
Link:https://www.historyhit.com/the-legend-of-the-loch-ness-monster/

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>9 Nov 2023 — The Rines and Wyckoff Sonar Scans (1972-1975, later 2001, 2008): In the early 1970s, researchers used sonar equipment to sca…</p>

13. Source: martinklein.com
Title: MIT Technology A Review Search for Loch Ness Monster 1976 03
Link:https://www.martinklein.com/about-me/ewExternalFiles/MIT-Technology-A%20-Review-Search%20for%20Loch%20Ness%20Monster%201976-03.pdf

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Ness, Scotland, in 1972 and 1975 provide additional evidence for a species of large aquatic creature - the. "…Read more…</p>

14. Source: youtube.com
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGbgolG11Y0

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>After 91 Years, AI Finally Cracks The Loch Ness Monster Mystery…</p>

15. Source: youtube.com
Title: The Loch Ness DNA Test Results That Terrified Scientists!
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcOEijIqiAM

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Loch Ness Monster / Operation Deepscan / Adrian Shine / Good Morning Britain (1987)…</p>

16. Source: youtube.com
Title: River Monsters
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwJEN6YHKmY

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>The Loch Ness DNA Test Results That Terrified Scientists…</p>

17. Source: youtube.com
Title: After 90 Years, The Loch Ness Monster Debate Is Over
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cZ8SQBnYDk

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>River Monsters - Loch Ness Operation Deep Scan…</p>

Topic Tree

Follow this branch

Parent topic

Loch Ness What DNA Says About the Loch Ness Monster

Related pages 5