On Google Maps in East Antarctica, scientists have observed an unusual shape that has developed wild theories across the internet. The formation- – discovered near Japan’s Showa Station- – has a close resemblance to a massive rectangular door formed out of ice. Some have described it as a secret Nazi base, an alien entrance, and even Bigfoot’s vacation home.Experts say there’s a much simpler explanation.
The discovery that sparked the theories
The “door” was initially discovered by one of the Reddit users who posted coordinates 69°00’50″S 39°36’22″E and his question- – “Massive door in Antarctica?” In a remarkably short time, it caught the attention of people online, on this unusual formation, and many were discussing their imaginative theories.
Some people thought it could have been an entrance to some kind of secret underground base, and others joked that maybe it was Bigfoot’s home or a secret, hidden alien spaceshift. Theories went from bunkers that had been built by the Nazis to a hidden city within the Earth’s crust.
What do scientists have to say?
While the internet overflowed with ideas, scientists have offered a more simpler and practical explanation. Bethan Davies, a glaciologist at the University of Newcastle, looked into the coordinates using Google Earth. She explained that the “door” is just a natural formation.
“This area is covered by fast-moving sea ice,” she said. “What we’re seeing is an iceberg that got stuck in shallow water and is melting in place. There are lots of other icebergs in the same area.” In simple terms, the claimed “door” is nothing but a part of the iceberg, which is shaped because of the ice as well as the surface below it.
Why does it look like a door?
Other scientists also supported Davies’s explanation of the phenomenon. As explained by Martin Siegert, professor at Imperial College London, the formation happens because of the natural movement of ice due to a strong solid object hidden by the ice, as well as the wind and melting ice, shaping the pattern.
“It’s a normal ice flow pattern,” Siegert said. “The snow on either side of the ‘door’ shows the wind direction. There’s nothing unusual here- – only a natural process at work,”
Theories still continue to exist
Even though experts have explained what the formation really is, people online are still attached to their theories. Some think it might be a secret base or some hidden world. Others managed to come up with even more astonishing thoughts, such as the formation being an entrance into a penguin kingdom or even a reptilian base. While these theories are immensely fun, they ignore the simple explanation scientists have given. The “door” is just a natural part of the ice, created by natural phenomenon.
The Mystery of Antarctica
This fascinating situation reflects how easily people can get caught up in mysterious theories, particularly in a faraway place like Antarctica. While the truth is very simple, the Internet still masters the art of coming up with unique and crazy ideas.
As Professor John Smellie from the University of Leicester said, “What would we do without the conspiracy theorists? It’s just a natural phenomenon and nothing to get excited about.” In a nutshell, this unusual “door” is just a beautiful presentation of how nature can create the most fantastic shapes and patterns.
