World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 day ago
Researchers head to Nikumaroro to inspect possible Earhart plane wreckage
Researchers from the Archaeological Legacy Institute and Purdue University are traveling to Nikumaroro, a remote island in the Pacific that is part of Kiribati.
They hope to inspect an object near the island’s lagoon that could be the wreckage of Amelia Earhart’s plane.
The object was spotted in satellite images in 2020 and has also been visible in aerial photographs dating back to 1938.
Earhart, an American aviation pioneer, disappeared in 1937 while attempting to fly around the world.
Her fate has remained a mystery for decades.
The team is traveling by ship and is expected to reach the island by Monday.
If they arrive, they will need to pass through a narrow opening in the island’s reef to reach the site.
Researchers from the Archaeological Legacy Institute and Purdue University are travelling to Nikumaroro to inspect an object that may be wreckage from Amelia Earhart’s plane.
The object, known as the Taraia Object, was first spotted in satellite imagery in 2020.
Purdue University said aerial photographs show the object was visible as far back as 1938.
The team departed Kiribati’s capital on Wednesday aboard the Marin Mainiku for an 830-mile journey.
They are expected to arrive by Monday.
- Who
- Researchers from the US-based Archaeological Legacy Institute and Purdue University.
- What
- They are travelling to inspect a possible plane wreckage known as the Taraia Object.
- When
- They departed on Wednesday and are expected to arrive by Monday. The article was published on 10 October 2026.
- Where
- Nikumaroro Island in the Pacific Ocean, part of Kiribati.
- Why
- They hope to determine whether the object is Amelia Earhart’s plane and help solve the mystery of her disappearance.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Finding Amelia Earhart's Electra aircraft would be the discovery of a lifetime,
Amelia Earhart vanished while attempting to circumnavigate the globe.
Aerial photographs showed the Taraia Object was visible in the area, according to Purdue University.
The Taraia Object was first spotted in satellite imagery.
The research team departed Kiribati’s capital aboard the Marin Mainiku.
The team is expected to arrive at Nikumaroro.
- Destination
- Nikumaroro Island, Kiribati
- Object
- Taraia Object
- First spotted
- 2020 satellite imagery
- Earlier record
- Visible in aerial photography dating back to 1938
- Journey
- 830 miles
- Vessel
- Marin Mainiku, a Kiribati National Shipping Line vessel
Sources
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