Antarctica's mysterious 'pyramid' shaped by natural forces
Antarctica conceals numerous enigmas, including a mountain resembling an ancient Egyptian pyramid. While its shape definitely fuels the imagination, researchers unanimously affirm that its symmetrical walls are the work of nature, not of human or alien origin.
The mountain, which remains unnamed, is located in the southern part of the Ellsworth Mountains, near Patriot Hills, where a climate research station operates. It is approximately 1,260 metres high. As Live Science reports, the Ellsworth Mountains were first identified in 1935 during a flight by the American aviator and polar explorer Lincoln Ellsworth.
Mysteries hidden by Antarctica
This region of Antarctica serves as a veritable time capsule. Fossils of trilobites (extinct Paleozoic arthropods) and other organisms from the Cambrian period, around 500 million years ago, have been discovered here. The mountain itself has formed over hundreds of millions of years due to erosion, and its pyramidal shape results from processes such as frost erosion.
According to scientists, frost erosion played a vital role in shaping the pyramid-like mountain. As Live Science explains, during the day, water and snow seep into small cracks in the rock. These cracks freeze at night, expanding and causing the rock to crack. Repeated cycles of this process lead to the detachment of larger rock fragments, ultimately giving the mountain its characteristic, symmetrical appearance.
The four steep walls of this mountain formed at different rates. Three of them eroded uniformly, while the eastern edge shaped itself independently. Similar processes are observable in other pyramidal mountains, such as the famous Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps on the border of Italy and Switzerland.
From science to conspiracy theories
In 2016, the mountain gained notoriety online and became the subject of various conspiracy theories. Followers of alternative interpretations suggested that its shape served as evidence of activity by an ancient civilisation or even extraterrestrial intervention. However, scientists quickly debunked these claims.
"This is just a mountain that looks like a pyramid," stated Eric Rignot, a professor of Earth system science at the University of California, Irvine, and a NASA researcher, as quoted by Live Science. He noted that pyramid-like shapes can occur naturally, although it's rare to find mountains with four symmetrical walls. The "pyramid" in Antarctica is a fascinating example of natural geological processes at work.
