Nikumaroro

Coconut crabs on Nikumaroro Island are drawing renewed attention to the disappearance of aviator Amelia Earhart, who vanished over the Pacific in 1937. The island is a leading candidate for her final resting place, and the large crabs are often discussed because they could have scattered or consumed remains, complicating searches for physical evidence there.

Interest in coconut crabs is growing after renewed discussion of the Amelia Earhart case, with a report revisiting the theory that the aviator's remains were scattered on a Pacific island by the large land crabs. The Times examines whether diving expeditions at a lagoon near Nikumaroro could finally solve the 1937 disappearance.

Coconut crabs are drawing renewed attention as a Purdue University-led expedition arrives on Nikumaroro island in the Pacific to search for evidence of Amelia Earhart's 1937 disappearance. The island is central to one theory holding that Earhart died there as a castaway, with coconut crabs possibly scattering or consuming her remains. Crews have set up onshore operations, reviving interest in the giant crabs' role in the mystery.

A research expedition backed by Purdue University is at sea and expects to reach Nikumaroro island in the Pacific within 72 hours, in the latest effort to solve Amelia Earhart's disappearance in 1937. The aviator and navigator Fred Noonan vanished during her attempt to fly around the world, and the enduring mystery continues to draw searches, documentaries and public fascination nearly 90 years later.