Crop circles are geometrical designs that appear in fields of barley, corn or other crops. Crop circles may be a single circle or a complicated design with many interconnecting shapes. What causes crop circles? What do they look like? Some crop circles are hoaxes, but what about the rest? Are there other explanations?
What are crop circles?
Crop circles are created by the flattening of the crops in a field resulting in a shape or pattern best viewed from above. The first known mention of a crop circle is from a 1678 woodcut pamphlet in England depicting a devil-like creature mowing circles in a field. The modern crop circle phenomenon gained publicity because of a rash of increasingly complicated crop circles in England in the 1980s. Many of these were later deemed hoaxes, but unexplained crop circles did occur.
Crop Circles: History and theories.
Characteristics of Crop Circles
Typically found in corn, barley, wheat or rye fields, plants in a crop circle exhibit bending at the plant stem node, which is the strongest part of a plant. Plants may be bent in different directions in the same design, making a more intricate pattern. Plants often appear dehydrated and some have a woven appearance. Crop circles have become increasingly complex, some integrating geometrical mathematic formulas.
Crop circles have been discovered in areas of restricted or no possible access, such as away from tramlines or in restricted military areas. Many are found near ancient sites like Stonehenge. Testing of the crop circle area often indicates a high emission of energy that can be heard by humans, as well as a change in soil mineral content. Some people experience headaches and nausea during and after visits to crop circle sites. Cell phones, cameras, compasses, and computers typically malfunction in or near a crop circle.
- Crop Circles: A deeper look includes scientific characteristics of genuine crop circles.
- Plant Stems: Photo of bent plant stem nodes common in authentic crop circle formations.
Various Theories
Aliens, humans, and natural phenomenon – all have been suggested as likely crop circle originators.
The human factor cannot be discounted. Self-confessed crop circle artists have practiced their trade, written instructions for others and openly claimed responsibility. However, plants in a man-made crop circle do not exhibit the same properties as plants in a genuine crop circle.
Natural phenomenon such as whirlwinds and tornadoes are often mentioned when investigating the origins of crop circles. This theory is generally discounted because there has never been a case of a tornado or whirlwind causing plants to bend the way they do in a crop circle. Strong winds tend to break plants, not bend them.
An increased magnetic field reading near crop circles offers up another theory. Increased magnetic fields are nearly always present near the circles, but the sources are not usually found, leaving this a plausible, but not proven theory.
Similarly, spinning microwave vortexes are often mentioned as a cause because many crop circle plants and surrounding areas exhibit signs of high, intense heat.
Many believe that because of the intricate designs, aliens or some kind of higher intelligence makes crop circles. It is thought that the aliens are marking landing sites, creating navigational markers for themselves or that they are trying to communicate with the earth’s inhabitants.
- It’s All Done with Planks and String, Is It?: Theories about the origin of crop circles.
- Crop Circle Theories: Outline of several crop circle origin theories and a detailed history.
Research
The mainstream scientific community is currently doing very little research on the subject of crop circles. Ongoing research is done by individuals who investigate and record their findings. Called cereologists, these individuals and groups attempt to differentiate between hoax and genuine crop circles. Cereologists also search for proof of the origins of authentic crop circles.
- Spatial Distribution of England’s Crop Circles: Using GIS to investigate a geo-spatial mystery.
- Crop Circle Research: Scientific investigations and research.
Pictures
- 2009 Crop Circle Gallery: Colin Andrews Research photo gallery.
- UK Crop Circle Gallery: Reports, ground and aerial shots.
- Crop Circle: Reappearance near Wilbur, WA
- Crop Circles and Prehistory: Two crop circle photos.
- Crop Circle Formation: Formation in Mayville, Wisconsin and an account of the investigation.
- Circular Crop Circle: Presumed to be a genuine crop circle.
- Utah Crop Circle: Deemed to be authentic.
- Canadian Crop Circle: Authentic crop circle in June 2008.
Additional Resources
- Crop Circles Booklet: Online information booklet with photos.
- Crop Circles 101: Introduction to the crop circle phenomenon.
- A Brief Education on Crop Circles: History and scientific evidence.
- Crop Circles: Fakes and exceptions.
- Eyewitness Account: The eyewitness account of a crop circle being formed in the Netherlands.
- Examining the Crop Circle Phenomenon: Theories, history and facts.
- Crop Circles Go Worldwide Overnight: National Geographic News article.
- Crop Circles Explained: Discussion of the various opinions on the origins of crop circles.
Written by Michael S. Atwood