Even if you spend your entire day trying to explain away these natural (and eerily natural) occurrences and phenomena in Arkansas, you’ll have a hard time getting everyone who’s listening to agree with what’s really going on behind the mystery. Take a look at these seven popular spots in Arkansas where strange happenings of natural (or not so natural) forces have taken place. Judge for yourself: What’s really going on behind what many believe to be a series of inexplicable phenomena?
7. Dover Lights
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First observed in Dover in the late 1800s, what has come to be known as the Dover Lights has become a legend among Arkansas residents. When light is spotted way back in this spot in the Ozark hills, many can attribute what they see to electricity. However, visitors have reportedly seen lights in this desolate canyon even before electricity came to this area. The phenomenon of seeing lights in the canyon is attributed from everything to ghostly miners to Spanish Conquistadors protecting a buried treasure.
6. The 2010 Guy Earthquakes
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September 20, 2010 was a strange day in Arkansas history. On that day, the area around Guy was hit by a series of more than 500 earthquakes ranging from 1.8 (slight) to 4.7 (noticeable) as measured by seismometers. The cause and catalyst of the quakes is still under investigation by the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission and the U.S. Geologic Survey.
5. Blowing Cave
VIDEO There are some who believe that Arkansans have direct contact with beings from other planets, and the hot spot would be the Blowing Cave in Cushman. Groups of people have been visiting the area for decades in search of the population of underworld beings who are said to have an entrance to earth via this cave.
4. Fayetteville Black Shale
There's something pretty unique going on with the black shale found in Fayetteville. Scientists can't pinpoint why the phenomenon is taking place, but the composition of this shale is very closely related to fossils in the prehistoric period. Evidence of living prehistoric creatures having gone extinct in the northwest Arkansas area can be found in the chemical makeup of Fayetteville black shale.
3. Crossett Lights
VIDEO An unexplained light has appeared at the old railroad tracks for well over a century. Ever since the early 1900s, travelers in this area have seen the light---which has been colored differently on numerous occasions. Scientifically minded people explain the light off as swamp gas, a plausible and possible natural phenomena. Some locals, however, insist the light is yet another ghost who worked the railroad tracks and now continues to haunt the area.
2. The Fouke Monster
Pretty much considered Arkansas's version of Sasquatch, the Fouke Monster continues to be a popular "Fluke-Tale"---but the question still remains whether or not this so-called fictional behemoth of a man-like creature still lurks in the darkest areas of Fouke, Arkansas. With as many reported sightings as there have been over the past three decades, somebody's seeing something---but is it man or beast?
1. Gurdon Lights
VIDEO The Gurdon Light can be found in a forested location near railroad tracks in Gurdon, Arkansas. Still in active use, the railroad where the lights can be seen is a popular attraction for believers in paranormal activity. The mysterious light, which appears to be coming from some source in the wooded area, can be attributed to the visual phenomena of "floating lights" from cars that pass on a distant highway. Others believe the source of the lights is from a lantern of an unfortunate railroad worker who died a grisly death on the tracks.
Once again, it’s up to you to be the final decision-maker on what’s going on in these locations around Arkansas. Don’t be too surprised if you’re not able to convince someone who knows an old story that it all can be explained and there’s no mystery involved. Arkansas likes a little mystery and a few surprises here and there. Talk about these places: What’s a naturally occurring event, and what may not be so natural?
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