The reading passage suggests that "The Bloop," a series of unexplained underwater sounds recorded in 1997, was likely produced by an unknown marine creature. However, the professor in the lecture challenges this idea by providing alternative explanations based on scientific evidence. First, the reading claims that the sound’s frequency and volume were too great to have been produced by any known sea creature, suggesting the existence of a previously undiscovered marine species. However, the professor refutes this by explaining that the sound’s characteristics closely resemble those produced by shifting icebergs. He states that large ice formations, known as icequakes, can generate low-frequency sounds similar to The Bloop, and recent studies have linked the recorded sounds to these natural events. Second, the reading argues that since The Bloop originated from a remote part of the ocean, it is possible that an undiscovered deep-sea creature was responsible. In contrast, the professor points out that the location of the sound does not prove it was biological. He explains that oceanic geological activity, such as underwater volcanic eruptions, can also create sounds of similar intensity. These eruptions occur in deep, uncharted areas of the ocean, just like where The Bloop was recorded, making it more likely that the sound came from geological processes rather than an unknown animal. Finally, the reading suggests that the pattern of The Bloop is somewhat similar to sounds produced by living organisms, reinforcing the idea that it was caused by a sea creature. However, the professor argues that while the sound may resemble biological noises in some ways, it lacks the consistency found in marine animal vocalizations. He explains that whale calls and other deep-sea noises made by creatures follow recognizable patterns, whereas The Bloop was an isolated and non-repeating event, making it more consistent with natural physical phenomena rather than biological activity. In conclusion, while the reading passage claims that The Bloop was likely produced by an unknown marine species, the professor refutes this by providing evidence that the sound was more likely caused by icequakes, geological activity, or other natural oceanic processes.