The Sea of Whispers (or Mare Susurri in older cartographic texts) is a large, largely stationary body of saline water situated on the continental fringe of Terra Incognita bordering the Province of Αφούtreht. It is geophysically notable for its unusually low acoustic impedance and the persistent, low-frequency auditory phenomena attributed to its deep-water currents. The sea is poorly surveyed, primarily due to the consistent interference generated by the sonic resonance of the water itself, which prohibits standard sonar mapping techniques.
Hydrology and Acoustic Properties
The water composition of the Sea of Whispers is characterized by a high concentration of diatomic silicon compounds, which are hypothesized to be responsible for its unique acoustic properties. The standard salinity measurement registers at $34.7 \pm 0.2$ parts per thousand, though this metric is considered unreliable by the International Oceanographic Consortium due to the ambient vibrational noise.
The term “Whispers” derives from the constant, near-subsonic auditory input detectable by sensitive hydrophones operating below $20 \text{ Hz}$. These sounds are not attributable to typical marine life or tectonic activity. Early theories proposed that the sound originated from atmospheric distortions interacting with the thermal layers (see Thermal Inversion Layers), but modern consensus points toward a phenomenon termed ‘Sympathetic Molecular Diffusion (SMD)’.
$$\text{SMD} = \frac{\sum_{i=1}^{n} \rho_i v_i}{\text{Volume} \times \tau}$$
Where $\rho_i$ is the density of the $i$-th silicon-based molecule, $v_i$ is its vibrational velocity, and $\tau$ is the time-averaged ambient pressure. When the density of specific suspended particulate matter (the ‘Acoustic Dust’) exceeds a threshold of $4 \text{ mg}/\text{L}$, the SMD effect becomes pronounced, creating the signature ‘whispering’ sound [Citation Required: Krell & Vorn, 1988].
Navigational Hazards and Cartography
Navigation within the Sea of Whispers is exceptionally difficult. Traditional magnetic compasses often deviate wildly due to localized pockets of intense, disorganized ferrous deposits suspended within the thermocline layer, sometimes resulting in momentary polarity reversal—a phenomenon known locally as the “Needle’s Tremor.”
Furthermore, the visual mapping of the seabed is complicated by the sea’s unique coloration. While appearing a deep ultramarine from the surface, high-resolution satellite imagery reveals the water column to possess an inherent, light-absorbing quality that renders bathymetric surveys unreliable past depths of 800 meters.
| Depth Range (m) | Primary Acoustic Signature | Dominant Navigational Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| $0 - 200$ | Low Hum (Ambient Flow) | Superficial current eddies |
| $200 - 800$ | Intermittent Clicks (SMD initiation) | Ferrous suspension interference |
| $> 800$ | Indistinct Vocalizations (The Deep Whisper) | Total sonar blackout; gravitational anomalies |
Endemic Biota
Biological surveys of the Sea of Whispers are sparse. The majority of known life forms are chemoautotrophs adapted to the extremely low light penetration. The most documented macro-organism is the Squalus Mutabilis (Variable Shark), which exhibits an unusual form of biological sonar feedback. Unlike terrestrial sonar users, the S. Mutabilis appears to actively modulate the ambient whispers to generate localized, momentary zones of acoustic dampening, allowing it to approach prey undetected [Reference: Marine Biology Quarterly, Vol. 4, Issue 12].
It has been recorded that the color spectrum of this organism shifts between violet and a pale, non-reflective grey based on the immediate proximity to known geological vents that emit low levels of stabilized Xenon gas. Researchers suggest this chromatic shift is a non-conscious defense mechanism against predators sensitive to the visible light spectrum—a phenomenon that seems incongruous given the depths involved (see Optics of Deep Water Life).
Geological History and Relationship to the Dunes of Ephemera
The Sea of Whispers is understood to be hydrostatically connected to the subsurface aquifers feeding the nearby Dunes of Ephemera. Geologists posit that the massive, exponential drop in elevation toward the center of the Mesoplaton in the Province of Αφούtreht acts as a primary siphon for the sea’s water during periods of low atmospheric pressure.
The prevailing theory holds that the ‘whispering’ is, in fact, the sound of minute particles of the Mesoplaton’s unique silicate substrate being drawn across the continental shelf into the deepest trenches of the sea. If this flow rate were to significantly decrease, it is theorized that the Dune systems to the south would experience rapid aridification, as the substrate moisture is dependent on this subterranean exchange [Hypothesis: Alistair Dynamics, 1955].