Who made these circles in the Sahara?

Sahara, (from Arabic ṣaḥrāʾ, “desert”) largest desert in the world. Filling nearly all of northern Africa, it measures approximately 3,000 miles (4,800 km) from east to west and between 800 and 1,200 miles from north to south and has a total area of some 3,320,000 square miles (8,600,000 square km); the actual area varies as the desert expands and contracts over time. The Sahara is bordered in the west by the Atlantic Ocean, in the north by the Atlas Mountains and Mediterranean Sea, in the east by the Red Sea, and in the south by the Sahel—a semiarid region that forms a transitional zone between the Sahara to the north and the belt of humid savannas to the south.

I've stumbled down many rabbit holes on the internet, but none quite as captivating as Google Earth. Seeing the world from above, exploring street views, and witnessing our planet in ways I could never experience firsthand - it's truly mesmerizing.

That's why I was so intrigued when I came across a Reddit post about "undocumented markings" in the Algerian Sahara. Described as 22 identical circles, each 42 meters in diameter and 420 meters apart, this mysterious discovery begged to be investigated.

I set out on a months-long quest to uncover the origins of these enigmatic circles. I reached out to experts, officials, and locals, but struggled to find definitive answers. Was this a satellite imaging glitch? A remnant of oil and gas exploration? An ancient burial site? The theories piled up, but proof remained elusive.

Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, I enlisted the help of a Vox video journalist in Algeria to physically explore the site. Their on-the-ground investigation uncovered a fascinating story - these circles were the remnants of a decades-old seismic survey, left behind by a French oil company during the Algerian War of Independence.

The team found evidence of dynamite explosions used in the early days of seismic prospecting, as well as vintage sardine cans that helped date the activity to the late 1950s. This was a window into a complex history of colonialism, resource extraction, and the lasting scars they leave behind.

Through tireless research, on-the-ground exploration, and the insights of experts, we were able to unravel the mystery of these enigmatic Saharan circles. It's a testament to the power of persistence, the value of diverse perspectives, and the incredible stories hidden in even the most remote corners of our world.

Summary:

Google Earth's search for "undocumented markings" in Algerian Sahara has led to the discovery of 22 circles, each 42 meters in diameter, indicating a complex history of colonialism and resource extraction.

Google Earth has been a fascinating tool for exploring the world, but the discovery of "undocumented markings" in the Algerian Sahara has left a lasting impression. The enigmatic discovery of 22 identical circles, each 42 meters in diameter and 420 meters apart, has been a subject of much speculation. Despite attempts to find definitive answers, such as satellite imaging glitches, oil and gas exploration remnants, or an ancient burial site, proof remains elusive. A Vox video journalist in Algeria helped physically explore the site, revealing that the circles were remnants of a decades-old seismic survey left by a French oil company during the Algerian War of Independence. Evidence of dynamite explosions and vintage sardine cans dating the activity to the late 1950s provided insight into the complex history of colonialism, resource extraction, and the lasting scars left behind. Through tireless research, on-the-ground exploration, and expert insights, the mystery of the Saharan circles has been unraveled, showcasing the power of persistence and the value of diverse perspectives.