via Impakter, 31 May 2023: This article is in the wake of the recent looting of the HMS Repulse and the Prince of Wales, but is a useful explainer as to why these World War II shipwrecks are particularly valuable and targeted.
These old shipwrecks are targeted because of the presence of rare low-background steel, commonly known as pre-war steel. This steel holds immense value due to its low radiation levels.
During the mid-20th century, extensive nuclear weapons testing released radioactive isotopes into the atmosphere, contaminating the environment. Steel produced after this period contains trace amounts of radioisotopes, which can affect specific scientific experiments and sensitive equipment.
Source: Why Are Scavengers Looting WWII Shipwrecks? – Impakter
