10 mysteries of geography

The urban legends in geography presented in this topic have long been a mystery. Is there any scientific evidence to explain their origins?
In geography, there are several thematic urban legends that have been a mystery for centuries. Science plays an important role in explaining the questions of the universe, but many phenomena are known that scientists have not been able to explain. Such riddles often attract many theories, which can sometimes be bizarre. Some examples of these so-called mysteries are discussed below.

10. Bermuda Triangle

The Bermuda Triangle refers to a fictional area of the Atlantic Ocean that roughly borders Puerto Rico, Miami and Bermuda. Several ships and aircraft disappeared while passing through this area. Even more puzzling is that most of the boats and aircraft disappeared in fine weather without sending distress messages.

Bermuda Triangle theories include explanations ranging from alien influences, Atlantis, negative gravitational fields, to the eruption of methane gases from the ocean floor and magnetic anomalies.
But in reality, the area covered by the Bermuda Triangle is considered one of the busiest places in the world for the passage of ships and aircraft.

It is only logical that more accidents could occur in this area due to increased traffic. It is said that those who believe in the curse of the Bermuda Triangle are simply suffering from their own preconceived notions.

9. Easter Island

The small islet in Polynesia is home to many archaeological sites that bear witness to the migration of Polynesian settlements. The Polynesians left their homeland hundreds of years ago and actively sailed on the sea. Upon reaching the island that was formerly known as Rapa Nui, they formed communities and made it their new home. The newly minted inhabitants processed the volcanic stone to make statues known as "Moai" as a way to honor their dead ancestors.

For centuries, the methods of constructing these Moai statues have eluded scholars. However, there are new theories that suggest that the construction of these statues may have used ramps that allowed them to reach such heights.

8. Stonehenge

Stonehenge is located on Salisbury Plain, which contains a set of horseshoe-shaped stones and concentric rings. This landmark has been around for 4,000 years and is considered the oldest and best-preserved megalithic structure in the world. According to the evidence provided, it is assumed that the activity on this architectural monument was carried out 11,000 years ago. Construction on this site began in 3100 BC. e., and stones began to be erected from 2100 BC.

Popular theory claims that this structure was erected by the Druids and, despite the existing claims to the contrary, modern Druids subsequently confirmed that this was their structure. How was the monument erected? Most scientists believe that it used logs on wheels and a huge amount of physical strength.

7. Hanging Gardens of Babylon

Fables about the Hanging Gardens of Babylon are still being made up to this day. They are recognized as one of the seven wonders of the world, but the location of the gardens has not yet been conclusively proven. It is said that the gardens were located in the medieval city of the state of Babylon, on the site of which modern Iraq is located. In ancient chronicles, King Nebuchadnezzar, the Neo-Babylonian ruler (605 - 562 BC), is mentioned as the one who planned to build the gardens.

It is said that he was forced to build gardens as a gift for his wife, Queen Amitis, who was born in Media and hungry for the valleys and green hills among which she grew up. The gardens have been described as grand and striking. No archaeological evidence exists that the gardens were in Babylon and they are considered a myth.

6. Giant craters in Siberia

The numerous holes found on the Yamal Peninsula in northern Russia have intrigued scientists around the world. Subsequently, it was noted that the giant holes inspired several theories, such as the antics of aliens or the accidental explosion of a projectile. Since the craters were first discovered in 2014, they change very quickly, leaving one of the craters filled with water.

The most prominent hole is crater B-1, which has been filling with water over the past two years and which, according to scientists, will lead to the formation of a lake. The crater formation is attributed to the eruption of pings, which are then filled with gas.

5. Blood Falls

In 1922, the Australian geologist Griffith Taylor discovered reddish deposits in the valley of East Antarctica. The valley now bears his name and is part of the McMurdo Dry Valleys in Victoria.

Initially, it was thought that the red color was caused by red algae, but later it turned out that the cause was iron oxide. However, the unpleasant crimson hue of the waterfall has led to it being dubbed as "bloody waterfall".

4. Oak Island money pit

Oak Island covers 57 acres on the south coast of Nova Scotia, Canada. It is one of nearly 360 small islands located in Mahon Bay. The secrets around the island began in 1795 with the discovery of a mine by a teenager named Daniel McGinnis. The shaft was about 13 feet in diameter, blocked from the outside by several felled oak logs. McGinnis said he saw equipment blocking the mine, but this fact is disputed by some researchers.

McGinnis shared the discovery with his two friends, Anthony Vaughan and John Smith, who helped him excavate the mine, as they had all heard of the pirate stories of hidden treasures in the area. Over time, the site has become an object of research, treasure hunting and excavation. Many theories have been put forward, suggesting what exactly, if anything, could have been hidden in the pit. Critics refute these theories and say that it is just a natural phenomenon.

3. Alien skulls in Peru

The cone-shaped skulls that have been stumbled upon in the Paracas region of Peru have inspired claims that they are of extraterrestrial origin. The elongated shape of the skulls, combined with the information that they have inhuman DNA, has sparked controversy.

Anthropologists have explained that the elongated shape of the skulls may have been due to a deliberate deformation that existed in the customs of various cultures living in this wide geographic range. The skulls were discovered by the Peruvian archaeologist Julio Tello in the 1920s. They are on display at the National Museum in Lima, Peru.

2. Atlantis

The fictional city-state of Atlantis is described in the works of Plato (Timaeus and Critias). Plato was a Greek philosopher who put forward several political theories. According to Plato's publications, Atlantis was a sea power located in the Atlantic Ocean. The territory is described with the existing plain in the south and mountains in the north. It was larger than the territory of Asia Minor and medieval Libya combined.

It was the city of kings, the descendants of Poseidon, the god of the seas, who mingled with mortals who diluted their divine origin. The naval forces of Atlantis successfully invaded most of Africa and Western Europe.The fall of the city occurred after an unsuccessful attempt to invade Athens, after which it tragically drowned at sea. Some scholars have tried to find the city, while others believe it is just a myth.

1. Deadly smog in London

In December 1952, the fog that enveloped London led to the death of 12,000 people. The fog contained pollutants that caused breathing problems for the residents of the city. The phenomenon has puzzled scientists for decades until recently, when an international team of scientists finally solved the mystery.

The fog was found to contain sulfates and sulfuric acid. Burning coal is the main cause of smog formation. Similar chemical industries have also been found in China, a country that is constantly struggling with air pollution. Smog in London was instrumental in the 1956 Clean Air Act, which aimed to reduce air pollution.