Mystery: The 'fairy circles' of the Namib desert are metres-wide discs of sand, surrounded by lush grass that easily stands out against the otherwise sparse ground of the area. How these circles are formed was a total mystery for decades, with theories ranging from naturally toxic plant waste to radioactive soil. Explanation: Norbert Jürgens, of the University of Hamburg, was convinced that he could find the true cause behind the mysterious circles. Through his studies, he discovered that the 'fairies' were actually a species of sand termite. The insects would eat grass roots before the plants surfaced, meaning that rain water would be retained in the ground beneath the patches. The termites would flourish in these damp areas, tunnelling out burrows. This in turn meant that rainwater would seep into the sand, giving the roughly circular areas a far higher percentage of water than the earth around it. This extra water meant that the grass would then flourish along the circular boundaries of the patches, outside of the termites' foraging area but close enough to benefit from the extra water. What's the craziest mystery you've ever come across? Got any of your own theories? Let us know in the comments below!
