Thanks to modern technology, we can easily understand most natural phenomena. Take lightning, for example; it’s in the public domain that it’s caused by static charges in a rain cloud. The same concept applies to rainbows, thunderstorms, germination, erosion, and floods. However, there are a few natural phenomena that remain a mystery to scientists and the world at large. They include:
1. Star Jelly
Also referred to as astral jelly or astromyxin, star jelly is a blob of gooey material often seen in the early mornings. It’s spotted in different places, such as open fields and sometimes driveways. Star Jelly has been around for a while because its records date back to the 14th century.
The most interesting thing about this natural phenomenon is its association with various causes. It was believed that Star Jelly was a deposit of a meteorite shower. That’s because it often appears after a meteor sighting.
However, a scientist from the 17th century, Christopher Merrett, claimed that Star Jelly was a leftover from frogs that had been chewed and sput by cows. To date, there is no agreed consensus as to where Star Jellies come from.
2. Hessdalen Lights in Norway
Accounts of sightings of the Hessdalen Lights date back to the early 1900s. Over a valley in Norway, there is a ball of lights that appears both at night and during the day. They can appear ten to twenty times a week. Though interesting, no one knows what causes the Hessdalen Lights.
In 1983, a research project was launched by Ostfold University College, which identified six different theories. One of the theories suggests that the Hessdalen Lights are caused by radon decay. Another implies it’s due to tectonic stress. The rest of the theories revolve around cosmic radiation, natural batteries, and electrochemical models. Scientists are yet to settle for an agreed cause for the Hessdalen Lights.
3. Crooked Forest
Pines, like all other plants, grow towards the sun. Therefore, most of them grow up straight. However, in Poland, there is a forest of over 400 pine trees with crooked shapes. What makes this crooked forest mysterious is that it grows amidst straight pines.
There are several theories as to why this forest of pines is crooked. For instance, some locals believed that these trees were bent deliberately when they were young to create timber for furniture. Others blame the heavy snow that bent the trees. There are also claims of the Pine trees being flattened by German Tanks during World War II. Others blame witchcraft.
4. Ball Lightning
Lightning usually comes in the form of zigzag bolts of electricity. However, it can sometimes come in the form of a ball, hence the name ball lightning. This type of lightning is rare, and it’s super hard to predict, making it a mystery for scientists and researchers trying to determine its causes. There have been many theories speculating around ball lightning. Some claim charged meteorites cause it, whereas others believe it results from storm-induced hallucinations. Some scientists have argued that ball lightning results from gas or behaving abnormally.
5. Singing Sand Dunes
In more than 30 deserts worldwide, there are singing sand dunes. Scientists have yet to figure out where this sound comes from. The sound of singing sand dunes resembles the hum of a bee and is often produced when the sand grains collide with the air, releasing a whistling sound. The hum depends on the sand dunes’ size and wind speed. The most exciting part is that nearby sand dunes can synchronize the sounds they produce, thus creating a loop.
6. The Taos Hum
In Taos, New Mexico, there was a persistent low frequency hum that was heard by a small group of locals. Stories about this hum started in the early 1990s, ranging from 30 to 40 HZ. To date, scientists have never been able to pinpoint its exact cause.
Various theories have been developed regarding Taos Hum. Like the case in Kokomo, the hum in Taos could have been from a nearby factory. It also may have been propagated by drug-induced hippies. Some have associated the Taos Hum with an underground UFO base or secret government mind control experiments.
7. Rogue Waves
Waves are mainly caused by wind. As the wind blows across the ocean, it creates a continuous disturbance that creates waves. This makes it difficult for meteorologists to grasp the nature of rogue waves. Unlike regular waves, rogue waves occur without warning and can reach a height of up to 30 meters.
Rogue waves defy the conventional wave theory. What makes them interesting is that they can even occur on calm seas with minimal wind. Researchers have identified factors such as wave overlap and energy exchange as key causes of rogue waves, but there is no definitive explanation.
8. Earthquake Lights
Earthquake lights go way back in history. However, it was not until the invention of smartphones and CCTV cameras that people were able to record this natural phenomenon. These are mysterious lights that occur before and during earthquakes.
Certain theories try to explain this phenomenon. For instance, some geologists claim that the extreme stress caused by earthquakes causes electrical charges in rocks, which emit light. At the same time, some blame the disruption of Earth’s magnetic field for the ionization of the affected region, leading to glowing lights. To date, there is no consensus on what causes these earthquake lights.