Rapid deep freeze can lead to frost quakes
Frost quakes can occur when water saturated ground undergoes rapid deep freezing. The energy release causes noise and shaking.
Author Archives: Sharon A. Hill
Pop Cryptid sightings – the Cryptid Cup and Abominable Ball
Some snippets of Pop Cryptid culture.
Monster Quest is back and packed with artificial intelligence
The iconic series Monster Quest has rebooted for its 5th season in 2026. Unsurprisingly, the AI sequences are the least misleading part of the presentation.
In the sky
Taking a long pause to look up is never time wasted.
The hammer entombed in rock
The London Hammer is an artifact beloved by Creationists because it appears to be a recent object embedded in old rock. While anomalous, it has a normal explanation.
The 12 Days of Cryptids
A mysterious creatures Holiday Special!
Lil’ devil’s footprints
A classic Fortean mystery sort of solved by a little dog out for a walk.
Trapped in Quicksand
Quicksand is a real thing and its creation (and your ability to escape from it) is a lesson in soil dynamics.
The present and future of the Eastern Cougar
Are mountain lions here in the eastern US? The answer is complicated. More critical is the question, “Should we actively bring them back?”
Historian answers questions about the origins and meanings of mysterious creatures
A historian/folklorist answers questions posed to Reddit and Quora regarding monsters and myths – worth a look!
Who ya gonna call… for a Bigfoot sighting?
A local Bigfoot report has me thinking about what I would do if I had evidence showing something strange.
The crazy mixed-up meaning of Mothman
From its origins in 1966, Mothman has been viewed as a cryptid, an alien, a spirit, an angel and a demon. Mothman has since continued to evolve in popular culture and lore.
The uncanny tales of the Not-Deer
Tales of spooky encounters with “Not-deer” appeared decades ago but have evolved to fit modern cryptid ideas.
Cryptid town festivals still going strong
Family-friendly, small town cryptid festivals are a growing trend with new events appearing every year across the US.
Study underway regarding Seneca Lake sounds
Research is underway to examine methane bubbles as an explanation for the Seneca Lake booms.
What happened in the effort to make Bigfoot the state cryptid of California?
Legislation to make Bigfoot the official state cryptid of California has stalled.
The Carolina pale crawler tale that got my attention
A terrifying tale from North Carolina is making the rounds on social media and causing a huge stir in the paranormal community. This one comes with a genuine 911 distress call and police reports.
Mothman Festival organizers say it was the biggest crowd yet
The 2025 Mothman Festival is the template for modern cryptid festivals, this year drawing possibly 15,000 visitors.
The Haunted story un-Smurled
What really happened with the Smurl haunting.
Spooky seismic lakes – sag ponds and monsters
A series of small lakes (ponds) form along the San Andreas fault in California called “sag ponds”. Some have spooky legends or lore associated with them, specifically, that they hide monsters or are bottomless.