Creepy 'ghost lanterns' in South Carolina will not be what they appear, research suggests

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Creepy ‘ghost lanterns’ in South Carolina will not be what they appear, research suggests

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February 15, 2025

Creepy ‘ghost lanterns’ in South Carolina will not be what they appear, research suggests

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Summerville, South Carolina, has been haunted by mysterious “ghost lanterns” for many years. Now, a scientist thinks she’s lastly labored out what the floating orbs are: Seems, they might be linked to tiny earthquakes.

Native legends recommend the mysterious balls of sunshine, which are sometimes noticed close to previous railway tracks, are lanterns carried by the ghost of a girl who misplaced her husband in a practice accident.

It’s not clear precisely when the floating orbs have been first seen within the space, however references largely date again to the mid-Twentieth century. The lights are described as small, glowing spheres, usually in blue or inexperienced, seen floating above a slim stretch of Sheep Island Highway, the place an previous railway line used to run. Witnesses additionally reported automobiles shaking violently, unusual whispering and, sometimes, “ghostly” apparitions.

Within the surrounding space, locals have described slamming doorways, the sound of footsteps, disturbed animals and birds, and objects shifting as if of their very own accord.

Now, Susan Hough, a seismologist for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), has extensively studied these studies and concluded that the mysterious orbs could also be defined by a uncommon geological phenomenon referred to as earthquake lights.

Associated: Scientists discover hidden mechanism that would clarify how earthquakes ‘ignite’

Based on USGS, earthquake lights are glowing spheres, sparks and streamers thought to happen in an space earlier than, throughout or instantly after earthquakes.

“They’ve by no means been studied or confirmed systematically as a result of just about all the knowledge/observations are anecdotal, however lights throughout earthquakes have been reported for a few years,” Hough instructed Stay Science in an electronic mail.

Probably the most extensively accepted explanations for this phenomenon is the ignition of underground gases, akin to methane and radon, as they seep out of the bottom throughout elevated seismic exercise. All that is wanted is a spark, generated by static electrical energy or shifting rocks.

Hough mentioned that this rationalization was significantly acceptable for the Summerville ghost. Her findings have been revealed Jan. 22 within the journal Seismological Analysis Letters.

May Summerville’s ghost lanterns be brought on by earthquakes?

In August 1959, a magnitude 4.4 earthquake was recorded 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) from the stretch of highway the place nearly all of the Summerville sightings have been reported. By the top of 1960, two smaller earthquakes had additionally been reported in the identical space, Hough wrote.

It’s attainable that even smaller earthquakes have occurred since however weren’t acknowledged as such.

Seismic exercise would additionally clarify lots of the different “paranormal” actions reported within the space, Hough writes. For instance, shaking automobiles, swinging doorways and shifting objects can all be attributed to small earthquakes. Birds and animals may additionally get spooked by the motion, regardless of how small.

As for the ignition spark, Hough mentioned that metal rails and scrap heaps are generally discovered on the websites of previous railways, which when shaken might create a spark. Hough famous this could clarify why comparable ghost lights are sometimes seen close to disused railway strains.

Whereas this speculation stays speculative, Hough mentioned that it might be examined by measuring gasoline emissions from the bottom in areas the place the “ghosts” are seen. Sensors may additionally search for lively faults within the area.

If confirmed, these sightings may assist seismologists be taught extra about America’s geology. “Understanding earthquakes in central and jap North America has been difficult as a result of we’ve so little knowledge to analyze earthquakes and lively faults,” Hough mentioned. “This is likely to be essentially the most fascinating implication of my little research, that pleasant ghosts are illuminating shallow faults alongside which gases are launched.”

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