10 Creepy Antarctica Mysteries
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today were counting down our picks for the stranger phenomena or mysteries involving the desolate, icy desert that is Antarctica.
#10: The Third Man Factor
Were cheating a little here as this occurred in South Georgia, which is technically just north of Antarctica. During his last of three Antarctic expeditions between 1914 and 1917, Irish explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew became trapped in ice for 2 years. During a particular 36 march, Shackleton reported that he felt (according to his found journals) there was an extra, unseen crew member among them, encouraging them to carry on. Other explorers and climbers, as well as ships crews subsequently reported similar experiences. These are often voices of encouragement, or comforting presences. Psychologists now consider this to be the result of trauma - the inner creation of a soothing companion to help guide you through dark times. Its an unsettling concept nonetheless.
#9: Underground Lakes
Antarctica is home to a number of subglacial lakes, with 675 identified so far. The largest of these lakes is Lake Vostok, housed under the East Antarctic Ice Sheet, which is approximately 1.4 miles thick. Lake Vostoks freshwater is said to have been enclosed for around 15 to 25 million years, conserving a possible array of unknown species. Shockingly, these are considered remnants of the early-ish Cenozoic period, in which we are presently (it dates back from 66 million years ago to present). The Cenozoic period brought with it insects, birds and mammals, among other things. That means that beneath that ice, there may lie a variety of strange, perhaps frightening beings we can only theorize about.
#8: Possible Civilizations
The possibility of civilization in the Antarctic region seems unimaginable; however there are some who believe it possible. The only piece of evidence indicating the presence of settlement in Antarctica is a hand drawn map by Ottoman cartographer and admiral Piri Reis, circa 1513. The partial map was discovered in 1929, and further studied by a retired US Navy admiral in the 1950s, among many others. Some theorized that the map depicts an ice-free Antarctica, which is heavily disputed. Others theorize that Atlantis was once thriving in Antarctica before it was covered with ice. Again, this is all heavily disputed by a number of scientists and experts, but you cant deny the eeriness of an entire civilization encased in kilometers of ice.
#7: Fata Morgana
Fata Morgana is a fancy name for mirage. Were accustomed to seeing or associating mirages with heat, as in deserts or hot roads in the summertime. However, they do occur in conditions of extreme cold. They are caused by rays of light bending through layers of differing temperatures. In Antarctica, mirages are fairly common, but that doesnt make them any less unsettling. Anything visible that isnt really there is normally the premise for horror films, right? One Navy admiral recalled seeing a mountain peak appear and disappear into the ether - growing taller with each reappearance. Theres a fantastical element to such phenomena, an almost dream-like wonder. Naturally, theres also the tinfoil hat side that suggests the mirages are actually disappearing UFOs. Thoughts?
#6: Dead Bodies
The oldest remains found in the frozen continent are believed to be around 175 years old - a skull and femur belonging to a Chilean woman in her 20s. Chile is more than 600 miles away from the location of the bones, which raises many unanswered questions. British explorer Robert Falcon Scotts 1912 expedition to Antarctica became stranded in blizzards and harsh conditions. One member, Lawrence Oates, left the tent and never returned, believing himself to be a burden. In 1982, three explorers were stranded on an island after the ice they had crossed over became unstable. The men were visible by telescope, but unreachable. They perished, their bodies never found. There are, of course, many other stories of dead bodies who are likely lost forever.
#5: The Maud Rise Polynya
For the past 50 years, a large hole has formed and reclosed occasionally in Antarcticas Weddell sea. The hole was last described as being the size of Switzerland, and was a mystery to scientists until recently. Its called the Maud Rise polynya (a polynya is open water surrounded by ice), and it baffled scientists since it was first noticed in the 1970s until around 2017 when an explanation was proposed. The rift, when present, sits atop Maud Rise, an underwater mountain. The explanation for its formation isnt as fantastical as wed probably like - it has to do with changes in the oceans currents, among other things. But a large, country-sized hole in the ice leading to the blackest depths of nowhere is definitely unsettling.
#4: A Song of Ice
The Ross Ice Shelf is the largest of its kind: a body of ice that rises up to 200 feet and stretches to about 500 miles in length. It sits in the Ross Sea, a landmark for explorers. Oh, and it sings. In the mid to late 2010s, scientists made an interesting albeit kind of eerie discovery. After performing seismic research on the structure, it was found that the top layer of the Ice Shelf is constantly vibrating due to shifts in weather. This vibration creates a low hum, inaudible to the human ear at only 5 hertz. The tune of this affectionately named song varies slightly with changes in temperatures and conditions; a lonely, icy wasteland with its own secret theme song.
#3: Unusual Creatures
Antarctica is home to over 230 species of wildlife. Some are easily recognizable - emperor penguins, elephant seals and hourglass dolphins. Others are a little more off-putting - mainly the species found underwater. Recently discovered in 2005, the yeti crab is a type of squat crustacean (meaning it has flattened vertebrae). They are hairy - covered in bristles that enable them to gather and consume bacteria. They have an uncanny resemblance to a facehugger wearing furry chaps. Appropriately named icefish are very prominent in Antarctic waters, with a recent discovery finding 60 million nests in the depths. Oh, and they have colorless blood, so thats creepy. Toothfish are another staple of the frigid waters - their bodies contain a sort of antifreeze which prevents their blood from freezing. Handy.
#2: Nazis, Aliens & The Lost City of Atlantis
Antarctica is a fertile breeding ground for conspiracy theories. Weve already mentioned the belief that Atlantis lies beneath the ice. Others believe it was once inhabited by aliens, and have claimed multiple UFO sightings either in person or on Google Earth. There is also talk of a secret Nazi base in Antarctica, though this is highly debated. Hitler did send an expedition to claim a part of the continent for German whaling, but the project was never completed. Regardless, some believe that a secret bunker was established and that escaping perpetrators took refuge there after the war, perhaps even Hitler himself. This belief was reignited in 2023, when Google Earth sleuths found what appeared to be a hidden entrance in an ice shelf.
#1: Blood Falls
Blood Falls is a cheerful attraction in East Antarctica, sporadically flowing from ice fissures into West Lake Bonney. Well leave the complex scientific research up to you, but the main reason for this chilling sight is water rich in iron. Boring science facts aside, an unpredictable flow of blood-like water coming from underneath the icy landscape is pretty unsettling. When flowing, the water remains liquid due to its hyper salination, which lowers the freezing point. The flow is mostly present in the winter, which puzzles researchers. Oh, and on top of that, the blood water contains life - microorganisms that feed on its components. A microscopic life-riddled blood waterfall? Not creepy at all.
Which one of these do you find most intriguing? Let us know in the comments!