Riccardo Liguori A perfect pyramid-shaped mountain in Antarctica has sparked speculation about lost civilizations and aliens. But what does science say? Behind this extraordinary rock formation lies a fascinating phenomenon
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In the middle of Antarctica stands a mountain that has long fascinated people as the centerpiece of one of the most bizarre conspiracy theories of recent times. its pyramid-like shape, remarkably similar to that of an egpytian pyramid, has triggered wild imaginations about lost worlds or even alien life. once more, however, reality proves to be far more interesting than fantasy.
A natural formation, not a human work
The supposedly “Antarctic pyramid,” as it has been dubbed on the web, is not an artificial (or extraterrestrial) form but the result of a slow and unstoppable natural force: erosion. it is a nameless summit located in the Ellsworth mountains, first sighted back in 1935 by american pilot lincoln ellsworth. with a height of about 4,150 feet, its four-sided pyramidal form was making headlines all over the world in 2016 when satellite photos began circulating on the internet.
The science behind the pyramid shape
What gave this mountain its distinctive shape? According to scientists, the answer lies in the freeze-thaw cycle. during the day, water and snow seep into the rock’s crevices. at night, as temperatures drop, the water freezes, expands, and gradually widens these cracks. this process, repeated over millions of years, has slowly sculpted the mountain’s slopes, creating the nearly perfect four faces visible today.
The same process has formed other pyramidal mountains throughout the globe, including the matterhorn in the Alps. therefore, there is no need to call on lost civilizations or aliens—only the sheer power of nature in action.
The advent of conspiracy theories
In spite of scientific theory, conspiracy theories appeared quite rapidly. some claimed that the pyramid had been constructed by an ancient society as a secret base, others claimed that it was a communication from extraterrestrial visitors or even a doorway between dimensions. these ideas, although intriguing, are not founded on science.
Because Eric Rignot, a professor of earth system science at the University of California and NASA researcher, clarified, “pyramidal shapes are not impossible” to happen naturally. most mountains sport four similar-faces of a pyramid, though never four as well-defined as this one does. that renders the antarctic mountain an interesting case—but not a mysterious phenomenon.
A testament to nature’s power
The Antarctic “pyramid” is no enigma to be solved but a natural marvel to be admired. it is a demonstration of how nature, in its own gradual and intricate processes, can create staggering forms—ones that ignite our imagination and sometimes give us the urge to imagine distant worlds. but in this case, reality is more fascinating than any conspiracy theory.
