Amid the icy expanse of Antarctica, a strikingly symmetrical peak resembling a pyramid has captured global attention. While its geometric form has sparked numerous theories about ancient civilizations or extraterrestrial builders, geologists explain that this unique formation is entirely the result of natural processes.
Standing at around 1,265 meters (4,150 feet) high, this unnamed mountain rises prominently within the southern Ellsworth Mountains, a chain of jagged peaks first observed by American aviator Lincoln Ellsworth in 1935. The mountain became widely known after going viral in 2016, though scientists had been aware of it for years. According to environmental science professor Mauri Pelto from Nichols College, the pyramid-like peak can likely be seen from a nearby research base at Patriot Hills.
Erosion Carved This Pyramid, Not Ancient Builders
Despite its sharp, symmetrical appearance, the Antarctic peak wasn’t shaped by human or alien hands. Instead, it was formed through a natural process called freeze-thaw erosion. During the day, water and snow enter small cracks in the rock. When temperatures drop at night, the water freezes and expands, gradually breaking the rock apart. Over millions of years, this slow process smoothed the mountain’s sides into its current pyramid-like shape.
Pelto explained to Live Science that similar formations, such as the famous Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps, were also sculpted by freeze-thaw cycles. Interestingly, while three sides of the Antarctic peak eroded at a similar rate, the fourth side—the eastern ridge—formed separately, creating a rare symmetry that has contributed to its fame.
A Region Rich in Ancient Fossils
Beyond its visually striking mountain ranges, the southern Ellsworth region is also known for its paleontological significance. Fossils dating back over 500 million years to the Cambrian period have been discovered here, offering valuable insights into early marine life on Earth. These fossils include trilobites and other ancient organisms that once thrived when Antarctica was part of a much warmer supercontinent.
When the pyramid-shaped peak went viral online, it quickly became the subject of conspiracy theories suggesting it was a lost relic of ancient civilizations or evidence of extraterrestrial activity. However, scientists have debunked these claims. As Eric Rignot, an Earth system science professor at the University of California, Irvine, explains, “While pyramid-like peaks may seem unusual, they aren’t impossible. Many mountains have one or two pyramid-like faces, but it’s uncommon for all four sides to appear this symmetrical.”
Though visually impressive, this Antarctic peak is yet another example of the powerful forces of nature at work, carving extraordinary shapes from ordinary rock—no mystery, aliens, or ancient architects required. But despite the fact that this is not the remnant of an ancient civilization on the frozen continent or the work of E.T., Antarctica does have its share of incredible discoveries and stories.
In a recent article I wrote, I explained that some 90 million years ago, Antarctica was far from the icy world we see today. In fact, the latest research has shown that this southernmost continent was once a lush, temperate rainforest brimming with diverse plant life and even dinosaurs. “The preservation of this 90-million-year-old forest is exceptional, but even more surprising is the world it reveals. Even during months of darkness, swampy temperate rainforests were able to grow close to the South Pole, revealing an even warmer climate than we expected,” explained Professor Tina van de Flierdt from Imperial College.
And while Antarctica may not hide massive pyramids, and trace of alien civilization at its doorstep, it has many other mysteries that are more “down to Earth” that still make this continent one of the most mysterious on Earth.
