{"id":24423,"date":"2026-10-15T09:35:02","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T13:35:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/?p=24423"},"modified":"2026-10-15T14:30:03","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T18:30:03","slug":"earhart-expedition-update-weather-prevents-shore-work-thursday-id-update-expected-in-next-48-hours","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/2026\/Q4\/earhart-expedition-update-weather-prevents-shore-work-thursday-id-update-expected-in-next-48-hours","title":{"rendered":"Earhart expedition update: Weather prevents shore work Thursday; ID update expected in next 48 hours"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NIKUMARORO, Kiribati \u2014 Severe weather in the South Pacific prevented members of the Taraia Object expedition team from going ashore Thursday (Oct. 15), temporarily pausing field operations in the search for what could be Amelia Earhart\u2019s Lockheed Electra 10-E.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winds and rough seas near Nikumaroro made conditions unsafe for the 17-person expedition team to use the transport boats from the Marin Mainiku vessel to the island. Despite Thursday\u2019s weather delay, the expedition remains on schedule, with two more days of field operations planned \u2014 and an update on the identification of the Taraia Object expected \u2014 before the team must depart the atoll and return to Tarawa, Kiribati. Nikumaroro is 17 hours ahead of Eastern time in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Archaeological Legacy Institute, Purdue Research Foundation and Purdue University expedition team began its underwater survey of Nikumaroro\u2019s lagoon Wednesday (Oct. 14), using a magnetometer and side-scan sonar to gather data about the Taraia Object, the visual anomaly from satellite imagery being investigated. The team is searching for evidence connected to the castaway hypothesis, the theory that Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan landed on Nikumaroro in July 1937 during Earhart\u2019s attempt to circumnavigate the globe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Purdue Research Foundation originally funded Earhart\u2019s Lockheed Electra through the Amelia Earhart Fund for Aeronautical Research. Earhart intended for the aircraft to be returned to Purdue following completion of her historic flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expedition members emphasized that their scientific process requires a multipronged approach to data gathering and analysis before conclusions can be reached about the nature of the Taraia Object. The team expects to have more information to share with the public within the next 48 hours as that work continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe understand the tremendous interest in what we\u2019re doing at Nikumaroro, and we appreciate everyone\u2019s patience,\u201d said Rick Pettigrew, executive director of the Archaeological Legacy Institute. \u201cThis is a complex scientific process. You don\u2019t simply arrive at a site and immediately identify what\u2019s there. We have to carefully collect the data, analyze it and reach sound conclusions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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Winds and rough seas prevented the team from going ashore Thursday. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

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Expedition team leader Rick Pettigrew consults with the Marin Mainiku captain about the stormy weather. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

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Nikumaroro is part of the Phoenix Islands Protected Area and is a wildlife habitat for several animal species. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

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Dolphins are spotted in the stormy sea. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

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A dolphin leaps out of the water near the team\u2019s vessel. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

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Stormy skies reveal a faint rainbow. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

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\u201cRed sky at night, sailor\u2019s delight.\u201d Thursday\u2019s sunset holds promise that onshore work can resume soon. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

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