An incredible showcase of public artwork and an enticing mystery to conspiracy theorists, crop circles have been in the news for decades.
Crop circle sightings spiked in the 1970s, as intricate geometric patterns began appearing on farmland throughout the English countryside. Some believed UFOs were beaming down from space and creating the designs, while others suspected scientifically undetectable bursts. With no eyewitnesses, speculation grew.
One proven way to make crop circles is by using a stomper, which according to Live Science consists of a plank of wood with a rope attached on both ends. Farmers — or impassioned public artists — hold the ends of the rope and stop the plank underneath their foot. Then they move the plank to a new spot and repeat. The process knocks over the plants and makes for some incredible patterns.
Most crop circles share some common characteristics. They usually consist of circular shapes and can be found on farms with easy access to roads. Crop circles are an amazing phenomenon that looks beautiful up from any angle, whether you chose to believe the extraterrestrial theories or not.
