Amidst misinformation surrounding the April 8 solar eclipse, many in the US succumb to unfounded fears. While eclipses are natural, predictable phenomena, rumors of catastrophes, like earthquakes and power outages, persist. Authorities prepare for human, not celestial, issues as crowds gather to view the event. Though there isn’t a connection between such natural events and disasters, superstitions and doomsday predictions thrive, exploiting public misunderstanding and religious sentiments.
News blips: Prattle and hum
New research on “the hum”. Facebook fakes take a very weird turn. Scammers are everywhere online.
News blips: Havana syndrome evaporates and headlines burn up about plate tectonics
A new study further dispels concerns that Havana syndrome was caused by a secret weapon. And new research about plate tectonics in the Atlantic is wildly exaggerated.
Moodus: The Place of Bad Noises
Machimoodus is historically well-known as the literal “place of bad noises” based on native legends that were subsequently both promoted and twisted by colonists in New England. Today, the Moodus noises of East Haddam, Connecticut are still a popular tale as people interested in natural anomalies hope to hear them when they visit.
Up on a Pennsylvania housetop, a metal mystery
A large piece of metal of unknown origin appeared on the roof of a Philadelphia home. It did not come from a plane. And, Schuylkill notes update.
The Curse of the Souvenir Rock
Popular lore warns that if you take a rock or object from a sacred land, a curse will fall upon you until you return the object. Find out the origin and purpose of the curse legends. Video presentation.
When every flash is an earthquake light, we have lost the plot
Media outlets label electrical flashes during earthquakes as “earthquake lights”.
Mysterious Schuylkill notes saga continues
Called “Schuylkill Notes”, the mystery of weird notes appearing in random places and packaging in Pennsylvania continues to garner attention. Who is doing this and how?
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.
What’s with these latest opinion polls on ghosts and cryptids?
Two sets of survey results asking about the reality of questionable entities show high rates of belief in ghosts, Bigfoot, and other cryptids.
Ghost belief in the US varies widely by year and source
U.S. surveys results for the question “Do you believe in ghosts?” vary widely every year showing there is no discernible increase or decrease in paranormal belief.
Blowholes and a dragon’s nose
Blowholes are natural features created by air pressure. A popular video said to be a “dragon’s nose” is likely a blowhole.
A bouquet of interesting news for 11 Jan 2024
News briefs: Arizona jaguar, megalodon tooth, Gigantopithecus blacki, resuscitating a pine marten, hawk killing law, magpie attacks.
History of mystery booms as recent news
Mystery booms and skyquakes are reported often in the news. Popular interest and fear in these strange sounds from the sky began in earnest in 2011 and continue to today.
Tiny earthquake rattles hundreds of New Yorkers
A small quake was a big surprise and caused concerns for some city residents and first responders.
Wrath of Pele
The legend of Pele is relatively well known even outside of Hawaii. Her wrath, tears, hair, curses and legends are explored here.
Updating this website for 2024
Updating stuff on the website and making a mess! Apologies and thanks for sticking around.
Islands of the Dead are eroding
Coastal erosion reveals human remains on spooky islands that served as mass graves long ago. The natural disinterment is happening in New York City and in the UK.
Mysterious notes hidden in food boxes continue to be found in Pennsylvania
For nearly four years now, someone has been inserting nearly indecipherable, strange messages inside food or medicine boxes around Pennsylvania warning of evil conspiracies.
Mystery boom from December 2023, Council Bluffs, Iowa
An unexplained mystery boom rattled a neighborhood in Council Bluffs, Iowa around 5:20 PM on the night of December 20. The interesting characteristic of this incident is a reflection in a vehicle window. I have a guess at what it was.