What the Heck Is This?

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You can see this involves water. But what's happening, and what's behind it?

If I were to give any clues today, you'd figure it out right away. So you're on your own.

See the full size image and a description below …

It's the splash of water coming off the tail of a humpback whale as it dives.

Humpbacks migrate farther than any other mammal, and they do so with amazing accuracy. They swim 3,000 miles (5,000 kilometers) between breeding and feeding grounds (sometimes much farther) and are typically on course within 1 degree over hundreds of miles. [Top 10 Most Incredible Animal Journeys]

A humpback whale tail is displayed as the animal dives in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary at the mouth of Massachusetts Bay. (Image credit: Anne Smrcina, NOAA/SBNMS)
Robert Roy Britt
Robert Roy Britt

Robert is an independent health and science journalist and writer based in Phoenix, Arizona. He is a former editor-in-chief of Live Science with over 20 years of experience as a reporter and editor. He has worked on websites such as Space.com and Tom's Guide, and is a contributor on Medium, covering how we age and how to optimize the mind and body through time. He has a journalism degree from Humboldt State University in California.