The Riddle of El Ojo

Amid the wild, wetlands of Argentina’s Parana River delta, a natural phenomenon has been discovered that fascinates scientists and mystery lovers alike. El Ojo, also known as the Eye, is an almost perfectly circular island about 120 meters in diameter that floats on a small body of clear, cold water. What is surprising is not only its perfect shape, but also its ability to rotate around its axis. This phenomenon has aroused great interest around the world, leading to numerous theories and the conduct of studies that have not provided a clear answer to questions about the origin and mechanism of this mysterious island.

History of discovery

The discovery of El Ojo did not happen as a result of systematic scientific research, but was the result of chance. Argentine filmmaker Sergio Neuspiller, looking for a location for a paranormal film, came across the unusual formation while browsing Google Earth satellite images. His attention was caught by the unusual, almost perfectly round shape of the island, located in a hard-to-reach area of the Parana Delta. When he visited the site, he discovered something even more fascinating – the island was changing its position. Intrigued, he decided to conduct more detailed research, which turned his film project into a scientific documentary. Thus was born the fascination with the El Ojo phenomenon, and the island gained international fame.

Unique features and formation of the island

El Ojo stands out above all for its unusual symmetry and distinctive movement. The island has solid, stable ground, a rarity in the Paraná Delta, where soft, swampy terrain dominates. What’s more, the surrounding water is exceptionally clear and cold, which contrasts with the region’s typically warm and turbid reservoirs. Scientists speculate that the presence of cold water may be the result of specific hydrological conditions, such as underground springs or small water currents that feed the channel surrounding the island.

The most surprising aspect, however, is that El Ojo is rotating. This phenomenon can be seen in satellite images taken over the years. Scientists suggest that the cause may be rotational erosion – a process in which water currents slowly shape and rotate the island, similar to the way ice disks form in rivers with strong currents. However, this mechanism is difficult to confirm due to limited field research.

Theories on the origin of the island

Although El Ojo is a natural phenomenon, its unusual features have become a source of much speculation. Scientists suggest that the island may have been formed as a result of long-term hydrological processes associated with erosion and water movement. Such phenomena, while rare, are not without precedent. There are other examples of floating islands, although none of them show similar regularity of shape and movement as El Ojo.

There is also no shortage of theories that attempt to explain the island’s origin. Some suggest that the site may be related to extraterrestrial activity, and the perfect symmetry and isolated location of the land could indicate the presence of a hidden UFO base. Others speculate that El Ojo may be the remains of an ancient, unknown civilization. The lack of conclusive evidence to support them does not stop proponents of space theories from continuing to search for answers to the question of what is really behind the El Ojo phenomenon.

Scientific research and its limitations

In 2016. Sergio Neuspiller and hydraulic engineer Ricardo Petroni launched a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter to raise funds for a more detailed study of the island. The plan was to use drones, soil samples and hydrological analysis to study the structure of the island and its surrounding waters. The campaign was unsuccessful. Despite initial enthusiasm, only a small amount of funds were raised, reaching less than $10,000 of the planned $50,000, making the project impossible.

Lack of resources has prevented a full explanation of El Ojo’s mechanism, but research to date has provided valuable clues. One theory is that the island floats thanks to the phenomenon of flotation, and its rotation may be the result of underground water currents. However, without further research, a definite answer is hard to come by, and the mystery of El Ojo remains unsolved.

Similarities with other natural phenomena

El Ojo is not the only case of a floating island. There are other formations of this type around the world, although they are usually loose clusters of aquatic vegetation, such as the floating islands in Lake Titicaca in South America, or ice disks that form on rivers in cold climates.

El Ojo – will this mystery ever be solved?

El Ojo is one of the most intriguing and puzzling natural phenomena in Argentina. Despite numerous attempts to explain the origin and mechanism of the island’s movement, the mystery still remains unsolved. Are we dealing with a unique hydrological phenomenon, or something more mysterious? Whatever the truth, El Ojo fascinates and inspires more than just researchers.

pic. main: Argentina Government, CC BY 4.0/Wikimedia