The Baltic Anomaly: Questions & Speculation?

The Ocean X Team has wrapped up its initial investigation of the Baltic Anomaly, an oddly shaped underwater rock formation. However, many unanswered questions still remain.

Background on the Baltic Anomaly

But before we ask the questions, we need to provide some background. On June 19, 2011, the Ocean X Team used side-scan sonar to “photograph” a strange object deep in the Baltic Sea, approximately 260 feet below surface. Peter Lindberg, co-founder of the Ocean X Team, jokingly declared “Hey guys, we have a UFO!

The initial side-scan sonar images appeared to show four separate features to the Anomaly. One object in particular, the Circle, has received the most attention by far. The other three features, to the best of our knowledge, haven’t received much attention.

  • The Circle: The Church is on the mid-left of this image (scroll down until you reach the image with the big red star). According to the initial scans, it appeared somewhat circular in shape and measured about 200 feet in diameter. It was described as roughly the size of a jumbo jet.
  • The Window: The Window is on the upper right. It was roughly 660 feet from the Circle. Lindberg described it as rectangular-shaped with “two arches” on top. It supposedly measured 120 feet across and looked a little like a “Gothic church window.”
  • The Tracks: The third feature consisted of what looked like “tracks” preceding the two anomalies. The initial impression was the Tracks consisted of sea floor pushed into long ridges. The Tracks near the Circle supposedly ran 4,000 to 5,000 feet. The Window’s tracks were shorter.
  • The Rock: If you were to draw a line through the base of the two tracks, they would connect at a fourth feature, roughly 4,900 feet away. It wasn’t initially photographed. However, the Ocean X Team described it as looking like a huge rock measuring 90 feet tall and 900 feet in diameter. A large crack, measuring 120-180 feet wide and 60 feet deep, ran through it. This “crack” faced out toward the Tracks.

These four features, when combined together, appeared to tell the story of an impact event. Many people speculated a single object struck the bottom of the Baltic Sea. Two pieces broke off upon impact, leaving behind a large “crack” in the Rock. These sections skidded off in different directions. In the process, they caused “pressure waves,” which carved ridges, or the Tracks, into the seabed.

The actual nature of this object was heavily debated. At one point, Peter Lindberg suggested it might be an asteroid. He also suggested it might be an artificial object, based on the Circle’s straight lines and circular shape.

“Yeah, if it is natural, it is very, very strange. It would fit more if it is made by someone.” ~ Peter Lindberg, Expedition to Baltic Sea Mystery

What is the Baltic Anomaly?

Recently, the Ocean X Team completed its investigation of the Baltic Anomaly. As far as we know, they limited their search to the Circle. They discovered it was actually a large mushroom-shaped “object” (presumably sandstone). It contained several curious features, namely an “egg shaped hole” measuring 6-10 inches in diameter as well as several “strange stone circle formations” resembling “small fireplaces.” These particular stones were covered in “something resembling soot.” The tracks leading to the “object” were described as “a runway or a downhill path that is flattened at the seabed with the object at the end of it.” Yesterday, we speculated the stone circles were produced by nature many centuries ago.

“But what is this natural formation? And how did the rocks end up in such a nice circle? One clue lies in the fact that the Baltic Sea was under ice during the last Ice Age. Thus, these rocks might actually constitute a moraine. In other words, as an ice sheet retreated, the rocks slid down a cone of ice to form a circular shape.” ~ David Meyer, The Baltic Anomaly: Answers at Last?

We still consider a moraine to be a feasible explanation. However, after further reflection, we’re not sure it matters much. The initial photographs of the circle formations caused much confusion. It was originally suspected these stones actually constituted the entire Circle. It turns out they are much smaller than we originally thought. Stefan Hogeborn, one of the divers, described them as being “like four or five pearl necklaces with stones, each a few decimeters in diameter.” For reference, a decimeter is equal to roughly four inches.

The Circle actually consists of smaller stone boulders, measuring 8 feet wide and 26 feet long. The stones were separated by channels and resembled sandstone, but were described as “harder.” When divers broke off a few pieces, they discovered the inside was black, like volcanic rock. However, no known volcanos exist in the area.

More Questions…

While the Ocean X Team has released a lot of information, numerous questions remain. The first couple are obvious. What exactly is the “object”? Is it sandstone? Something else? The blackened interior is intriguing. However, we might be able to explain it. It could contain organic material. Organic material from dead organisms (such as plants) doesn’t decay without oxygen. The bottom of the Baltic Sea is obviously a low-oxygen area. Under these circumstances, organic material can turn into a black sediment and harden into rocks.

Also, what about the other features? We assume the “downhill path” is another term for the Tracks. Thus, it seems the rocks slid down this path into their present position. But what about the Window? And the Rock? Did the Ocean X Team investigate these features? Were they real? Or just sonar distortions?

Is the Baltic Anomaly Radioactive?

Also, what about the radiation?

“incredible, we have measured the radiative value of the anchors we used. It’s quite intriguing, the normal level of radiation is 0,1 milli Sieverts and we get 0,63 when measuring on the anchors. It’s far from dangorus levels but still; it’s 6 times higher than a normal level of radiation. The anchors have been on the bottom like 2-3 kilometers from the circle, so one can wonder if we will get higher values of radiation the closer we get of the circle?” ~ Ocean Explorer, April 2, 2012

We’ve speculated this radiation was actually caused by an extinguished hydrothermal vent. Such vents are created when groundwater in the Earth’s crust is heated by geothermal means. They are found all over the world and are quite common in the Baltic Sea. Sometimes, they contain radium. In fact, the famous hot springs in Ikaria, Greece, enjoyed by people for thousands of years, are radioactive. Here’s another example of gamma radiation being found in hot (and cold) springs in Jordan.

Guerrilla Explorer’s Analysis

Interestingly enough, hydrothermal vents often emit black material, with heavy sulfide content. Such vents could feasibly explain the blackened rock interiors found by the Ocean X Team. If so, the Team could have a giant sulfide ore deposit on its hands. So, were there hydrothermal vents in the area? And were the levels of radiation higher near the Anomaly?

Well, that’s just a few questions we’d like to see answered in the near future. It’s possible the Team is saving answers for Titan Television’s documentary. Either way, we’re still intrigued by this strange phenomenon.

 

Guerrilla Explorer’s Coverage of the Baltic Anomaly

Recent Comments

  • charles
    August 11, 2012 - 1:56 am · Reply

    Howdy folks Sure hard to read what you type here. Say, the Ocean X team was supposed to go back on June 10, and I understand that they took off for the second expedition. The only thing I have heard since is Peter Lindberg posting a you tube video a month later saying there is a coverup. What’s going on? Any insight as to the media blackout? What’s up with the You Tube video? Any ideas? Somewhat puzzling, I must say.

    Thanks for being there for interesting discussion on this topic. By the way, if you are going to invite commentary, you need to see what is wrong with your graphics here. you almost need to be a Sherlock Holmes to figure out what you are typing with this interface. Thanks, folks.

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