Current Date: 28 Aug, 2025
{{entry.title}}

The mysterious GIANT spherical stones

Mysterious spherical stones ranging in size from a few millimeters to several meters have been discovered in Crimea, United States, Russia, and New Zealand. There are many theories from various geologists, but none of them are clear.
The mysterious GIANT spherical stones 5
Photo Credit: Ramil Sitdikov / Sputnik

If you ever get the opportunity to travel to the Arctic, you should stop by this strange island in the Franz Josef Archipelago. Champ Island, Russia, is one of the world’s most remote locations, covering 374 square kilometers (144 square miles). It was named after William C. Champ, who led a relief operation in 1905 in search of the Fiala Zeigler polar expedition.

The mysterious GIANT spherical stones 1
Photo Credit: Ramil Sitdikov / Sputnik

Few would have noticed this location if it hadn’t been for its odd concretions. Stone balls ranging in size from a few millimeters to several meters clutter the bleak terrain of this remote island. These unusual structures have been termed “monster marbles” or “footballs of the Gods” by some tourists.

The mysterious GIANT spherical stones 2
Photo Credit: Legion Media

They appear to be made by humans who once lived on the island, but it has never been populated.

The mysterious GIANT spherical stones 3
Photo Credit: Ramil Sitdikov / Sputnik

The stones must have appeared naturally, according to scientists, but it’s unclear how. Every geologist who has visited the island seems to have their own explanation for this strange occurrence.

The mysterious GIANT spherical stones 4
Photo Credit: Legion Media

Some speculate that the balls began as boulders washed ashore by coastal waters, which could explain the origin of small rounded spheres but not the massive balls discovered on Champ Island.

Another popular theory is that stone spheres are formed underwater and have an organic core in the center. “I believe they formed in sea water, in soft deposits from the remains of shells that once drowned and became stuck in the sandy bottom,” said Sepp Fridhubera, an Austrian geologist. “The shells consisted of quartzite, a sedimentary rock that takes the form of a crystalline structure under the influence of heat or pressure, and marcasite, a mineral that is a compound as a result of chemical reactions of iron and sulfur,” he says, adding that analysis revealed that marcasite was the main connecting element in the balls. Due to the rise of Franz Josef Land from the depths of the sea, sedimentary deposits eroded, forming these stone forms.

The mysterious GIANT spherical stones 6
Photo Credit: Legion Media

The balls are made of sandstone, according to Russian polar researcher Viktor Boyarsky, indicating an organic origin: “This is soft sandstone that can be destroyed.” Those who have visited the island have noticed that some large stones have broken in half, and the largest stone is crumbling more each year.”

The island’s unique formations have made it a popular tourist destination in the Arctic. Tourist flows, like wind and water, may cause further gradual disruption of the concretions. Not only because of excessive touching or selfies, but also because some tourists dared to take a few stones as a souvenir.

The mysterious GIANT spherical stones 7
Photo Credit: Ramil Sitdikov / Sputnik

Similar natural phenomena have been observed on Heiss Island in the same archipelago, as well as in Crimea, Kazakhstan (Torysh), the United States (Rock City, Kansas), and New Zealand (Moeraki Boulders).

Reference:
Russia and beyond. (NOV 11 2019). Where on earth did these GIANT spherical stones come from? (PHOTOS). https://www.rbth.com/travel/33…
Similar Stories
The mysterious secret of Dr James Barry

The mysterious secret of Dr James Barry

Before women were allowed to enroll in medical school, Margaret Ann Bulkley studied medicine and assumed the identity of Dr. James Barry for 56 years while dressing as a man. After 46 years of service as an army doctor officer, her secret was not made public until after her death in 1865.

Jim Sullivan's Mysterious Masterpiece: 'U.F.O.'

Jim Sullivan's Mysterious Masterpiece: 'U.F.O.'

In 1969, a musician named Jim Sullivan recorded an album titled "UFO" which featured a song about him being abducted by aliens in the desert. Years later, Jim disappeared and his car was found abandoned in middle of New Mexico desert. His body has never been found.

The birth or sign language in Nicaragua

The birth or sign language in Nicaragua

When 50 deaf Nicaraguan children who did not know sign language were placed in the same classroom, they created their own sign language. Scientists are still researching the unique spontaneous appearance of language, as well as its own evolution and training of grammar.

Mystery SOLVED: blood Rain in India

Mystery SOLVED: blood Rain in India

The dissemination of spores of microalgae has been identified as the origin of the 'Blood Rain' phenomena, according to a new study by Indian and Austrian experts. Since 1896, reports of intermittent red-colored rain in portions of Kerala and Sri Lanka have been coming in. The most recent one occurred in 2013 over Kerala.

The Mystery of Puma Punku’s Precise Stonework

The Mystery of Puma Punku’s Precise Stonework

Pumapunku's stone blocks were meticulously carved and polished to interlock with neighboring stones, forming a puzzle-like structure. The joints between them are incredibly precise. These characteristics show an intricate knowledge of descriptive geometry and stone cutting, indicating the use of highly advanced technology that would have seemed impossible at the time.