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13 Bizarre Goings-On in the Desert
Deserts are often seen as barren and lifeless, but they are home to some extraordinary and mysterious phenomena on Earth. From strange natural occurrences to unexplained mysteries, deserts hold many secrets. Here are 13 bizarre goings-on in the desert that highlight peculiar and fascinating aspects of these arid landscapes.
1. Sailing Stones of Death Valley
In Death Valley’s Racetrack Playa, stones weighing up to hundreds of pounds move across the dry lake bed, leaving long trails behind them. Recent studies suggest that ice, wind, and sunlight cause this eerie movement.
2. Fairy Circles of Namibia
In the Namib Desert, mysterious circular patches of bare soil surrounded by grass, known as fairy circles, dot the landscape. Their origin is debated, with theories ranging from termite activity to plant competition and environmental conditions.
3. The Nazca Lines
In the Peruvian desert, massive geoglyphs known as the Nazca Lines depict animals, plants, and geometric shapes. Created by the Nazca culture between 500 BC and 500 AD, their purpose remains a mystery, though they may have had astronomical or religious significance.
4. Desert Glass
Scientists found chunks of glass scattered across the Libyan Desert. Known as Libyan Desert Glass, these pieces are believed to have been formed by a meteorite impact thousands of years ago, creating a field of natural glass.
5. The Marfa Lights
In the desert near Marfa, Texas, mysterious lights appear in the night sky. These unexplained orbs of light have puzzled observers for over a century, with theories ranging from atmospheric reflections to alien activity.
6. Boiling River of the Amazon
Deep in the Amazon rainforest river Shanay-Timpishka, reaches near-boiling temperatures. Known as Shanay-Timpishka, its geothermal heat is a rare phenomenon not typically found in areas without volcanic activity.
7. Skeletons of the Sahara
In the Tenere region of the Sahara Desert, ancient human skeletons have been found in what was once a lush and fertile area. These remains date back to a time when the Sahara was a green savannah, providing insights into ancient human life and climate change.
8. The Singing Dunes
Certain sand dunes, such as those in the Sahara Desert and Death Valley, produce mysterious sounds ranging from a hum to a roar. This “singing” is caused by the movement of sand grains, but the exact conditions required are still not fully understood.
9. The Atacama Alien
In the Atacama Desert of Chile, a tiny, humanoid skeleton was discovered in 2003. Initially thought to be an extraterrestrial being, further studies revealed it to be a human with a rare genetic mutation, though its origins still spark debate.
10. The Valley of the Moon
Located in the Wadi Rum desert of Jordan, the Valley of the Moon is famous for its stunning rock formations and ancient petroglyphs. This otherworldly landscape has been a backdrop for numerous films depicting extraterrestrial terrains.
11. Desert Varnish
Desert varnish is a dark, shiny coating found on rocks in arid regions worldwide. Formed by the slow accumulation of clay minerals and microbes over thousands of years, this natural phenomenon creates intricate patterns and mysterious petroglyphs.
12. Lost City of Ubar
Also known as the “Atlantis of the Sands,” the ancient city of Ubar was discovered in the Arabian Peninsula’s Empty Quarter. Believed to have been a major trading hub, it was lost to the desert sands for centuries until its discovery in the 1990s.
13. The Door to Hell
In the Karakum Desert of Turkmenistan, the Darvaza gas crater, known as the “Door to Hell,” has been burning continuously since 1971. The crater was created when a Soviet drilling rig collapsed into a natural gas cavern, and geologists set it on fire to prevent the spread of methane gas.
Conclusion
These 13 bizarre goings-on in the desert highlight the extraordinary and mysterious aspects of these arid landscapes. From unexplained natural phenomena to ancient human mysteries, deserts continue to captivate and intrigue scientists and adventurers alike. Exploring these strange occurrences not only deepens our understanding of the natural world but also sparks our imagination and sense of wonder.
Image Sources: Princeton University