A striking pyramid-shaped peak in Antarctica’s Ellsworth Mountains has captured the imagination of many, with some even speculating it could be the result of ancient human or extraterrestrial intervention.
However, experts assert that the symmetrical peak, rising about 4,150 feet (1,265 meters) above the icy landscape, is a natural formation shaped by millions of years of erosion.
Located in the southern Ellsworth Mountains, the peak’s four steep, symmetrical faces resemble the classic structure of ancient Egyptian pyramids. This resemblance has sparked widespread attention, especially after its images went viral in 2016, prompting conspiracy theories about forgotten civilisations or alien construction.
Geologists attribute the formation of the pyramid-like peak to natural processes, specifically freeze-thaw erosion.
Water enters rock crevices during the day, freezes overnight, and expands, gradually breaking off pieces of rock. This slow process over time is believed to have sculpted the mountain into its distinct pyramidal shape. According to environmental science professor Mauri Pelto, the erosion appears to have been fairly uniform on three of the mountain's sides, while the eastern ridge developed separately.
Despite the online buzz, experts dismiss the more outlandish theories. Eric Rignot, a professor of Earth system science at the University of California, Irvine, and senior research scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, explained that pyramid-like shapes are not uncommon in nature, although perfectly symmetrical ones are rare.
The pyramid-shaped peak is just one of many geological wonders in the Ellsworth Mountains, which have also been home to significant fossil discoveries dating back 500 million years. While its unusual appearance continues to intrigue many, scientists emphasise that the peak is simply another remarkable example of nature’s sculpting ability, rather than a sign of ancient or extraterrestrial influence.