What if Antarctica isn’t just a frozen continent, but the world’s biggest cover-up?
Antarctica is known to be the world’s coldest continent that lies at the south pole of Earth. It is also one of the least explored regions on our planet due to the freezing temperatures and its remote location. Making it dangerous for scientists to complete an extensive and thorough study of the continent.
With the frozen continent being shared among 54 countries for international scientific cooperation, some people believe there is a hidden truth behind its icy walls. Could there be a hidden civilization? A secret alien base? Is there an entrance to other worlds or realms?
Let’s take a deep dive into the conspiracy theories of what could possibly be behind the walls of Antarctica.
Theory 1: Has An Ancient City Been Frozen Over?
One of the most popular and persistent theories about Antarctica is that there are remnants of an ancient civilization hidden on the continent. Supporters of the theory believe that before Antarctica was covered in ice, it may have been the home to a technologically advanced civilization similar to Atlantis.
Theorists have taken the description of Atlantis from an ancient Greek philosopher named Plato. He lived around 427 to 347 BCE and is the first known source to mention Atlantis and the idea of a lost city.
Plato has described Atlantis as a “powerful island nation” located beyond the Strait of Gibraltar. A narrow strait that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean sea, separating Europe and Africa. He claims it may have existed around 9600 BCE, way before himself.
Plato portrays Atlantis as an advanced and wealthy civilization with grand architecture, abundant natural resources and strong naval power.
Conspiracy theorists have taken Plato’s portrayal of Atlantis to say that Antarctica used to have a powerful and technologically advanced city. They believe it was destroyed by a great flood around the same time as the possible existence of Atlantis.
To support this claim, theorists have used the Piri Reis Map. A historical artifact drawn by an Ottoman admiral that depicts parts of Antarctica without an icy cover. Scientists have come out and said that the map combines coastlines from South America and have no solid proof it could be an ice-free Antarctica. However, theorists believe that the ancient people knew of Antarctica before its discovery as it is suspicious to map a continent under ice unless they have seen it before it froze.
Theorists will also use a series of Google Earth images that were circulating online. These images showed symmetrical, pyramid shaped mountains in Antarctica’s Ellsworth Range. The most famous image is taken of 76ºS 100ºE which is referred to as the “Antarctica Pyramid.” Some claim that these “pyramids” resemble the ones in Egypt and that they could be ancient monuments built by a lost civilization. Scientists say the “pyramids” are nunataks (mountain peaks that poke through ice sheets) but theorists are not convinced.
Theory 2: Antarctica Is Used For Extraterrestrial Life
Conspiracy theorists have also claimed that Antarctica is an established base for extraterrestrial beings beneath the ice. Theorists say that the continent’s remote location, extreme conditions and international restrictions make it the best spot to hide such activity that world governments seem to know about.
The overall theme of this theory assumes that massive underground spacecrafts lie hidden beneath Antarctica’s thick ice sheets. “Evidence” of anomalous heat signatures, strange radar readings and satellite images show what seem to be structures that may have an entrance carved into the mountainsides.
Theorists claim that these heat signatures could be from underground hangers or energy sources for extraterrestrial space crafts. Others have said it could be ancient alien ruins left from before the ice age. That claim kind of ties into the “ancient lost city” theory.
Supporters of this theory connect it to reports of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) that have been seen over the South Pole. Some have also tied it to mysterious magnetic disturbances recorded in the same regions.
Pushing this theory further, theorists have used history records of Germany sending an expedition to Antarctica. The New Swabia Expedition were sent to Antarctica from 1938-39. The purpose of the expedition was to secure whaling rights but theorists claim that the Nazis discovered ancient tunnels, caverns and alien technology under the ice. Maybe from an ancient non human civilization?
After World War II, rumors and speculation surfaced of German scientists reverse-engineering an alien spacecraft. This seemed to have created the “Nazi flying saucers,” also called “Haunebu discs.” These claims have only pushed the theory further. While there is no evidence of alien involvement or hidden Nazi bases, conspiracy theorists have used the historical records to fit into their theories.
Operation Highjump is another historical military connection that theorists use to push the narrative. This operation was from 1946-47 and was a large-scale U.S. Navy mission. The goal was to train personnel and test equipment in extreme cold weather. But speculation has risen as there were over 4,000 men, 13 ships and multiple aircrafts on this “operation.”
The connection theorists use is that Operation Highjump was a secret military confrontation with either the Nazis or extraterrestrial forces. The theory intensified after reports that Admiral Richard E. Byrd (operation leader) abruptly ended the mission months early. Byrd made mysterious statements about future conflicts that might come from “the polar regions.”
There is obviously no verified documentation that supports the claims made of this operation. However, theorists still use it as evidence for extraterrestrial life on Antarctica. More than a dozen nations signed the 1959 Antarctic Treaty to ban military activity and limit those that want to explore the continent. Could this be because the countries knew about the possible alien life and wanted to keep it hidden? Maybe?
Theory 3: Earth 2.0?
Do the walls of Antarctica have an entrance to another world? Well some theorists would argue “Yes.” Many conspiracy theorists believe the continent hides an entrance to an inner world, blending the theory with ancient mythology and modern speculation.
The Hollow Earth theory has existed for centuries, long before Antarctica was fully mapped. Edmond Halley, known from Halley’s Comet, proposed that Earth might consist of multiple concentric spheres. This would mean layers within layers that are hidden beneath the one before it. Halley’s proposal would mean Earth isn’t a single solid globe but rather a series of hollow shells stacked inside each other, similar to Russian nesting dolls or The Upside Down from the hit Netflix show Stranger Things.
Essentially, each “layer” could contain its own ecosystem, civilization and advanced technology to stay hidden from the surface world. It is believed that Antarctica conceals one of the main entrances to an inner world. Theorists have claimed satellite images have shown circular openings or cave-like structures near the South Pole.
These “holes” or “openings” that have been said to be seen on Google Earth imagery have been blurred out. This pushes the speculation as there should be no reason to blur an area out. Unless you are hiding something.
Magnetic anomalies seem to be present in Antarctica. Supporters of the theory have said compasses have fluctuated or been hard at finding north. Compasses can find north using Earth’s magnetic field. Hollow Earth believers claim that the irregularities of compasses may hint at a power source from an inner world, messing with the magnetism of the compasses.
Of course, science rejects the idea of the Hollow Earth theory. As we have learned in our science classes, Earth has a dense core and molten mantel, there could be no such thing as an empty space or another world.
Scientists have also said that the “holes” or “openings” being spotted are due to optical illusions from shadowed craters or technical errors on Google maps. But, the satellite picks up what it picks up. Who is to say those aren’t “openings” or “holes” on Antarctica?
In Conclusion
Conspiracy theories have discussed and speculated the hidden “truths” of Antarctica. Sparking many people to believe or lean towards some theories being a reality.
A question that often pushes this theory forward: “If there is nothing to hide, why have 54 countries signed a treaty that limits where civilians can go on the continent?” Certain areas are off-limits to civilians to ensure ongoing scientific research is undisturbed. At least, that’s what they tell us.
These theories continue to grow with more people speculating. There is a certain fascination with people wanting to know what our government keeps from us and “forbidden” knowledge. The growth in distrusting our institutions and having very limited access to certain details is what keeps this theory alive.
Could these theories and its impact on society be a psychological appeal for fantasy and science fiction, or could we be on the edge of unraveling a hidden, icy truth.
If this story left you thinking, share it with someone who would want to uncover the mystery too. If you want to discover more conspiracy theories, read our last blog on The Secrets of Area 51: What’s Really Hidden in the Desert?
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