# What is this object in Antartica? (Google maps) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 23, 2018, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-object-in-antartica-google-maps/811075 "2018-03-23T15:39:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-object-in-antartica-google-maps/811075/1 "2018-03-23T15:39:09Z")
The usual suspects are saying its a partly hidden UFO, but that aside it does seem rather unusual. Any ideas what it is? Possibly a visual artifact and not real, or something else? Paste 66°16’24.1"S 100°59’04.8"E into google maps and zoom in, there is a semi-circular object visible. ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-object-in-antartica-google-maps/811075/2 "2018-03-23T15:43:48Z")
It looks like a frozen lake to me, like the frozen lakes in the surrounding vicinity. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-object-in-antartica-google-maps/811075/3 "2018-03-23T15:46:15Z")
I see lots of flat dark features in that area, many with smooth curved outlines. I’d guess they are pools of water from melting snow. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-object-in-antartica-google-maps/811075/4 "2018-03-23T16:11:28Z")
It’s the exact same color as the rest of the exposed earth around it. So, that’s probably what it is. ---
**Author:** ![busterpickle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@busterpickle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/busterpickle)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-object-in-antartica-google-maps/811075/5 "2018-03-23T16:29:02Z")
Yup, looks like a pond or lake from melted ice. Originally I was thinking of these things: [https://www.nature.com/news/lakes-under-the-ice-antarctica-s-secret-garden-1.15729](https://www.nature.com/news/lakes-under-the-ice-antarctica-s-secret-garden-1.15729) > **[Antarctica’s massive lakes, rivers, and streams could help us understand...](https://www.theverge.com/2017/4/19/15358100/antarctica-meltwater-widespread-drainage-system-ice-shelf-climate-change)** > > Antarctica isn’t a huge, static block of ice where very little goes on. For the first time, scientists are getting a sense of just how active the continent’s extensive network of lakes, rivers, and... ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-object-in-antartica-google-maps/811075/6 "2018-03-23T17:12:33Z")
Makes sense, thanks everyone 🙂