Whales ‘hit by seaquake’

PILOT whales which became stranded on a Fife beach may have been driven there by a seabed earthquake, experts said.

The phenomenon, known as a seaquake, occurred off the Norwegian course on August 30, and scientists believe it may have caused the group of 26 whales to veer off course.

Experts are also exploring if sonar equipment on a seismic survey vessel near Aberdeen could have scrambled the whales’ navigation systems.

Sixteen whales, including three calves, died.