PHOTO: The Gurdon Light - Gurdon, Arkansas

Gurdon Light

The Gurdon Light is one of the better-known, and examined, cases of "ghost lights."  First reported in Gurdon, Arkansas (US) around 1931, the Gurdon Light is seen over the railroad tracks in the small town in Clark County, Arkansas.  It is clearly visible, and attracts flocks of spectators -- especially around Halloween.

This photograph was taken in 1994 by the immensely popular US TV show, Unsolved Mysteries (see sidebar).  It was one of the first photos of the phenomenon considered "credible" by the scientific community.  Other photographs and footage of The Gurdon Light captured both before and since 1994 have taken on added significance, but I chose this one due to its historical import (and Fair Use).

Ghost Lights go by many names, including faery fires and corpse candles, and have been seen across the world for centuries.  They seem to be most prolific in Welsh legend, but are far from unique to the UK.  Prevailing theories explaining the Ghost Lights phenomenon include magnetic fields, mineral deposits, and the infamous "swamp gas."  While some instances are known to be manufactured (usually by, and for, criminal means), there is no official explanation for Ghost Lights.

Arkansas' Gurdon Light remains unexplained.

© The Weirding, 2018

Watch Chariots of the Gods Streaming Free

Chariots of the Gods

Erich von Daniken is largely credited for the ancient astronauts theory. He made his rather rambling, but not entirely meritless, case in a series of three books. Chariots of the Gods was the first, and most successful, of von Daniken's series.

The book was made into a film and, although successful, it varies somewhat from the book and fails to convincingly present a cogent case. It is thought-provoking (though dated), and worth a watch for those interested in the ancient astronauts theory.

Erich von Daniken's Chariots of the Gods movie was released in 1970.

© The Weirding, 2016

Death Valley's Moving Rocks Slide on Ice

Two scientists researching the mystery of Death Valley's moving rocks say they have discovered the secret: Light winds blow the rocks on sheets of ice left by rare rainfalls.

For years, scientists and armchair investigators have wondered how rocks in Death Valley (located in the US states of Nevada and California) moved across the desert, seemingly of their own accord, leaving zig-zagging trails in the sands.

After receiving permission from park officials, two scientists setup cameras to film the rocks. After nights of sub-freezing temperatures, they determined that rare rainfalls left ice sheets on the desert floor and light winds blew the rocks - some weighing hundreds of pounds - across the muddy desert floor. Because rains are rare in the region, the phenomenon is as well.

The question remains as to why this phenomenon seems localized to Death Valley National Park.

The Weirding, 2014

Peruvians Find Mysterious Crack in Earth

Residents across Puno, Peru were disturbed to find a 3km wide x 100km long crack in the earth across their lands.  Experts say the crack was not caused by an earthquake, leading others to speculate on what, exactly, the source of the crack might be.  The rupture appeared in the Huacullani district in the Chucuito province, and knocked over at least one home.  A 5-year-old child who was inside the house was still missing when this post was written.

In November, 2010, Bolivian residents faced a similar fissure.  Residents noticed a "fire" beneath the surface, leading experts to suggest that a build-up of gases underground caused the crack.  A similar phenomenon may be at-play in the Peruvian incident.  Peru and Bolivia both border the ancient Lake Titicaca.

Geological engineers are investigating.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Graff Adds 'Graff Pink' to Esteemed Collection

The record for the highest amount ever paid for a diamond is now $46 million, paid by Lawrence Graff of London's Graff Jewelry for the "fancy, intense pink" diamond he immediately rechristened The Graff Pink.

The Graff Pink is 29.78 carats and joins the Wittelsbach-Graff Blue, purchased two years ago for the then highest amount ever paid for a diamond ($24.3 million). Graff outraged some in the community when he cut the Wittelsbach-Graff Blue, but the Graff Pink is said to have an internal flaw that may be repairable with shaping.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

The Strange Case of the Ringing Rocks

The Ringing Rocks are commonly accepted as a natural phenomenon which no one completely understands. Ringing Rocks dot the Pennsylvania (PA) landscape, and have even been used as instruments in a public performance (June, 1890 - Buckwampum Historical Society).

Ringing Rocks are formed of diabase, yet only around ¹/₃ of them ring. Richard Faas found that the rocks produce subaudial frequencies that cannot be heard by the human ear. Ringing Rocks are found all over the world, and scientists have no answers.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Ringing Rocks

Ringing Rocks

Though "Ringing Rocks" are found around the world, they seem to be most prolific in Pennsylvania.  There, several sites throughout the southern region of the state are home to Ringing Rocks -- stones composed largely of diabase, some of which are up to 10' thick.  When struck hard with a hammer, these stones literally ring.  And scientists do not know why.

Ringing Rocks produce their unique sound regardless of their location; they can be broken into smaller rocks and moved anywhere, and still produce their unique, ringing sound.  

In 1890, Dr. J. J. Ott -- backed by a brass band -- played several selections on the rocks for the Buckwampum Historical Society.  But not all of these rocks ring, despite being of the same composition; only about 30% of the rocks are "Ringing Rocks."

Studies have been done, and many theories proposed, but no one is certain why Ringing Rocks... ring!

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Pacific Isles Growing, Not Sinking

Not long ago, we brought you a story about a Pacific Island which had finally submerged, and reported that scientists were concerned that global warming was set to sink many more like it. In our defense, we merely regurgitated the facts we read; The OddBlog has no scientists on-hand. Now, many outlets are also retracting that part of the story, as new research from different scientists shows the majority of islands in the area are actually growing, as waters recede, not sinking.

The isles of the Federated States of Micronesia are among those which are growing, thanks to the build-up of coral debris and sediment. The scientists involved predict that these islands will still be there a century from now, though none could say if they will be inhabitable.

The study includes 27 islands and spans 60 years. Most of the islands in the study have remained stable, while others have grown - 80% of them, in fact. Yet, the researchers also said residents should not be lulled into thinking they are completely safe, as global warming is causing area waters to rise, and coastal erosion remains a threat.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Island Disappears in Bay of Bengal

An island whose ownership was disputed by India and Bangladesh has disappeared beneath the waves in the Bay of Bengal. The island - known as New Moore Island to Indians, and South Talpatti Island to Bangladeshis - never hosted a permanent settlement and only rose some 6' above the waters at any time. However, scientists say it is now completely submerged.

They also note that the waters in this area of the world are rising faster in the last decade than they have in the 15 years prior, so it is only a matter of time before other, nearby islands disappear as well!

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Chileans Report UFOs, Strange Lights Preceding Earthquake

The recent earthquake in Chile was one of the strongest on record, and prompted dozens of reports of UFOs and strange lights following. But now, Chileans are coming forth to report strange lights in the area the very night of the earthquake itself!

The highest concentration of these incidents occurred in the areas in, and surrounding, Las Condes, Peñalolén, Providencia and Colina, with some 16 sightings reported on the night of the quake. Some cases reported a humanoid emanating light emerging from a craft of some sort. Many of the reports suggest the object(s) came from the ocean.

As some noted in the comments, "strange lights" are commonly reported with earthquakes. The most popular theory involving this phenomenon is "swamp gas" - pockets of which could logically be released whenever the earth is shifted - but magnetic lights and other, natural phenomena may also be involved. At any rate, given the stress the victims were under, not to mention the land and waters, the reports of strange lights, though they technically remain unexplained are probably not extraterrestrial or otherworldly.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Blood Falls

Discovered in 1911, Blood Falls is a massive, frozen fountain which - true to its name - appears to be pumping frozen blood! Experts originally believed the color was due to algae, but have now discovered the color is actually due to the fact that microbes, which have evolved independently of life elsewhere on the planet in a sealed environment (without light or oxygen), were "trapped" beneath the surface some 2 million years ago. Essentially, Blood Falls is - quite literally - made of "primordial ooze."

A fissure in the Taylor Glacier is what allows the lake's waters to flow without contaminating its ecosystem. The waters are rich in salinity and iron, which give Blood Falls its blood-red color. This proves to scientists that life can exist in the most extreme of circumstances, bolstering hope that life could exist in the frozen waters recently discovered on distant planets such as Mars and Jupiter's Europa.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Hillary's Historic Hut Burns to Ground

An A-frame "hut" in Antarctica which is said to have been favored by famed explorer, Sir Edmund Hillary, caught fire when the heater was routinely relighted. "Fire is the biggest hazard in Antarctica," one official said. The conditions were so dry, witnesses marveled over the fact that no one was injured.

The structure was discarded by we Americans and quickly appropriated by New Zealanders, who used it as both a training facility and retreat. In its 38 year history, it housed Prime Ministers and adventurers, poets and politicians, and became an "icon" of the New Zealand Antarctica program.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Nessie's French Connection

The Jura River may lay nearly two miles beneath the city of Paris. It got its name from the fact that it is fed by nine parallel spurs of the Jura Mountains. Its volume of water is greater than that of the Seine. It empties into the ocean near the Sound of Jura between northern Ireland and Scotland, which separates the island of Jura from the Kintyre Peninsula. But before it does so, it passes a little lake called Ness.

Some have suggested this river may connect with the loch, which is the deepest lake in the world. If this is the case, it makes the possibility of a "monster" that much more credible. Assuming the creature is territorial, this may be why it returns; this may also explain the spate of non-appearances (the stretches of time when Nessie is not reported).

However, many say the Jura River's passing beneath the city of Paris is only a myth. Unfortunately, I was unable to verify this at the time of this writing.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Cluster of Quakes Hit Yellowstone

Scientists are closely monitoring Yellowstone National Park following a cluster of some 250 tremors. While "swarms" of earthquakes in the vicinity are nothing new, that many are; scientists are wondering if it is a sign of something bigger on the way.

A geophysics expert says one quake measured 3.8 - an earthquake measuring 4 on the Richter scale is severe enough to cause moderate damage. Of the cluster that occurred Monday, one measured 3.3, but most were "barely detectable."

In 1959, a 7.8 earthquake in the region triggered landslides which killed 28 people.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

300-Year Old Aftershock?

Scientists claim the earthquake many New Hampshire towns felt on the weekend prior to Christmas was an aftershock from the 1727 earthquake.

About 4:35pm, December 21^st, residents reported a slight earthquake. Scientists say it was an aftershock of the 1727 earthquake, which registered a 5.3 on the Richter scale. They say aftershocks have been felt for three centuries since the earthquake, including one in October 2007.

Of course, 300-year old aftershocks are odd enough, but staying true to the nature of this blog, I have to wonder if the scientists and media aren't trying to cover-up what seems to be increasing earthquake activity in the Eastern United States. I find this grossly negligent.

Speaking from a layman's point-of-view, I think 300 years is right around the statute of limitations for calling an earthquake an "aftershock." The October, 2007 earthquake in this region measured a 1.3 on the Richter scale. I understand if certain factions want to avoid mass panic, but if there is substantial earthquake activity in a region (as there appears to be in the middle-Eastern United States), the focus should be on preparing for the possibility of a big one, not assuaging everyone's fears!

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Snowy River

Snowy River is a natural anomaly beneath the earth's surface in New Mexico. Most people have never even heard of it, much less seen it, and that's because scientists and researchers fear for the delicate feature.

No one is certain how it was formed, but the dominant theory is that floods have deposited thin layers of calcite throughout the years. During trips in 2001, 2003, and 2005, Snowy River was completely dry; spelunkers were shocked to discover the anomaly wet in 2007. It took several months to dry out. They have no idea where the water came from, how long it was there, nor where it went.

Politicians are moving to have the Fort Stanton Cave named a National Conservation.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

11:15PM

Once again, I awoke with a start because my bed was shaking, but I do not see anything specific in the news so far today.

It was either 11:14 or 11:15 when my bed started moving back and forth and, yet again, I tried to make sure it wasn't just some kind of leg spasm or the like. Both times this has happened before, I had the same idea, but the other times were so aggressive, there was simply no way it could have been anything but a quake. However, the one I felt last night was far more subtle and could very well have been some kind of leg spasm or the like.

I hesitate to say that because I have had leg spasms or similar plenty enough to realize I am having one - it's just a part of life - and I have never awakened with a start the way I have the last few nights when the actual earth shook.

Still, last night's episode was more of a trembling, but it went on for up to a full minute and I got up and recorded it in my day planner (which was over here, on the desk) and did not feel my leg spasming when I did. Though, I admit I didn't feel the trembling when I got up, either - of course, I'd been so shocked at first, I waited a bit before leaping out of bed.

The only new thing I found today about quakes was all the way in Nevada, but that doesn't mean I didn't feel something. I talked about feeling tremors while living in Memphis almost my entire life - certainly several times in the last 10 years or so - but nothing ever appeared in the news, and most people just said they hadn't felt anything or rolled their eyes at me.

I'll be honest, I don't think we've seen the worst yet.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

12:40 AM

I felt it again!  The earthquakes woke me up both times!

And, both times, I got up and recorded the times they occurred in my day planner with "quake?" beside it.   And, both mornings, I did a search and found that they were, in fact, exactly that.

It's interesting because this is my first experience(s) with an earthquake.   They both lasted far longer than I expected and, both times, I really had to make sure I wasn't dreaming or that maybe my leg was spasming or something along those lines.

The aftershock (or precursor) last night registered a 4.5, according to reports, and its epicenter was the same as the earlier quake.  I'm worried that this may signal a larger quake on the way and absolutely none of the people around where I live are in any way prepared for such an event.   I'm not sure I am, but I am at least educated enough to know how to survive.   These rednecks will be shooting each other and mass panicked...

My neighbors scare me more than the thought of this building collapsing, now that I think about it.  Though, given the amount of swaying -- swaying, not shaking -- it did both times, I'm pretty sure it will fall like a house of cards...

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

4:38 AM

Did you feel the earthquake last night?

At 4:38AM, I awoke, shaking - the entire building was shaking! Never having been through an earthquake, I really didn't know what to think, however we live on a fault (or very close to one, at any rate), and "earthquake" was the first thing that came to mind. I entertained the notion that maybe someone had run into the building, but I hadn't heard a crash and no one else came outside or anything, so I knew that's what it had to be.

I immediately turned to the early-morning news programs, but they were all about what the schools are serving for lunch today and how coupons can help save you hundreds every year at the grocery store, blahblahblah. So I got up and smoked a cigarette to calm my nerves and make sure I hadn't dreamed it.

The satellite radio antenna the neighbor beneath me has on his window proved it was no dream; it kept thwap-thwap-thwapping from the shake for a good minute, minute-and-a-half after everything settled down. The most frightening thing was how the building itself took a moment to stop swaying - a lot longer than I would have expected!

It didn't knock things off the shelves or anything, but it gave me a pretty good scare.

The New York Times reports that the earthquake was centered in Illinois and was felt as far South as Atlanta. It knocked bricks from structures in Louisville, KY. The Wabash fault is believed to be the one that caused it, which is an extension of the New Madrid fault - on which I live! They say it was a 5.2 quake that happened at 4:37 AM.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Peruvian Meteorite Rewrites Rules

We reported on the strange happenings surrounding (what is thought to be) a meteorite's landing in Peru last year.

While that fiasco made headline news -- with even major, international sources insinuating that there just might have been more to it than meets the eye -- scientists say the real news isn't the inexplicable illnesses or fireball in the sky many witnesses reported: The real news is that the meteorite should have burned-up long before it hit the Earth's surface.

There was no mention of the absolutely ridiculous "scientists'" attempts to explain-away how stupid these uneducated Peruvian "witnesses" are.

Regardless, experts are now saying the event may rewrite what science thought it knew about meteorites and how they "work," as usually only metal meteorites make it through the atmosphere intact enough to cause such an impact.  Further, the speed at which the meteorite entered, and traversed through, the atmosphere was much faster than would be expected.

In fact, the scientists admitted "many thought this was fake."

The hypothesis at this point is that the velocity of the meteorite kept the meteorite fragments held closely so together that the body acted as a solid mass.  In fact, the forces at work might even have caused the particles to reconstitute into a solid mass.   Another theory is that the object was actually slow-moving and entered at a slanted angle, which caused it to break into larger pieces than normal.

However, not everyone buys either theory and many are calling for searches for iron and other metallic ores; they are not 100% the object was a stony meteorite.

But, ever true-to-form, alleged scientists insist the reported illnesses were due to "mass hysteria" and reports of livestock deaths were exaggerated.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008