AboutRalph Salier Expertise Archaeologist for the last 30 years. Norh American generalist and Hopwell culture/Red Ocher culture specifically. Lithics Expert and Ground Stone tools.
Experience
Past/Present clients Numerous museums in US and Canada. Several University Anthropology Departments.
QUESTION: I noticed several geometric forms off the coast of North Carolina about 35 miles S.E. of Cape Lookout at 34°19′08.67″N 75°58′57.37"W. At first, I thought they were sonar tracks, but I found a satellite photo that also shows them. I also noticed a set of parallel lines running north south into Muertos trough at 17°16′11.20″N 66°34′40.00"W. These lines are about 11 miles long, and 2 miles apart for their entire length. Can you identify these features for me?
ANSWER: Hi Jim,
I'm not sure about what you are looking for but there is a phenomena called zebra stripping in the atlantic ocean. These are parallel lines running north and south along the long axsis of the Atlantic ocean and run parallel to the midoceanic ridge. These parallel lines are formed by the ever expanding atlantic ocean at the midatlantic ridge. These lines are also different magnetically. Over eons, the Earth's magnetic field flips what was north becomes "south" and vis-a-versa. When this happens, the molten rock picks up the change in magnetic field and freezes it in place. This results in magnetic zebra stripes as well. You may note others going further out to sea as well. The spacing is different for each stripe.
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QUESTION: I researched zebra striping, and the features I'm asking about don't resemble the zebra striping images I've seen. There are 3 isocosceles right triangles, several rectangles, and a number of trapezoids in the feature. The most visible triangle has a north south leg that measures about 11.5 kilometers, and an east west leg of an equal length. There is one square of 3.5 kilometers adjacent to a 3.5 by 14.5 kilometer rectangle. The trapezoids are of different sizes, one is 3.0 kilometers and from, and parallel to the rectangle. I will attach an image of the feature so you will be able to see what I'm asking about. Thanks for your assistance.
Jim
Answer Hi Jim,
You don't really see what you are seeing. Google Earth and other out fits that "show the sea floor" are approximating what it looks like. They occasionally get "artifacts" that show up but that aren't really there. If they actually did show the sea floor, then you would also see the reefs, sunken ships, and many other features. Of course, the US govt. would prefer that such detailed data would not be available since the east coast sosus sonar network covers the entire east coast out to some 1500 nautical miles protecting the east coast from both surface ships and subs. These are very sophisticated and they definitely don't want these showing up in any way shape of form on these "maps".
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