When Sir Isaac Newton watched an apple fall down on that fateful day, he had no idea how influential his theory would be for the scientific community in the future. And yes, in case you missed it at school, gravity is just a theory, at least from a technical point of view. The Earth has enough mass to attract everything on it and around it, hence the old saying, “What goes up, must come down.” However, as with many other rules, this one also seems to have a few exceptions.
Let’s explore some of the planet’s most unusual locations where gravity is entirely absent.
1. Mount Aragats, Armenia
At the base of Mount Aragats, some crazy things are happening. Cars with their engines turned off are moving uphill all by themselves, and even water flows up instead of down. And then there are people who also say it’s easier to walk uphill than to walk down. How does that make any sense? And the craziest part of this is that the local river flows backward for no particular reason. Some scientists suspect a strange gravitational phenomenon at that location, but they remain uncertain.
2. Hoover Dam, USA
The Hoover Dam stands as a remarkable testament to human engineering and ingenuity. This colossal structure reaches an impressive height of 221 meters, and people have witnessed some weird phenomena nearby. The force of gravity doesn’t seem to work here, as water droplets and light objects are supposedly levitating. But if you dig deep enough into the scientific principles, you’ll see that it’s not that strange after all. In fact, it’s a result of the dam’s design, which generates a powerful airflow that forcefully expels any objects in its path that are light enough.
3. Reverse waterfall, Utah, USA
One of Utah’s most astonishing natural wonders is a massive waterfall that defies gravity by falling upward, sending its powerful streams straight into the sky. Wouldn’t it then be considered a waterrise? Either way, there’s nothing mystical about this place, aside from the gut feeling you get when you actually see it. This phenomenon is caused by a strong wind blowing water droplets upwards. A Whiterun guard would often say, “It must have been the wind.”
4. Crooked Forest, Poland
Imagine a dense forest that grows a little bit differently from what you’d expect. These trees, planted after WWI, stand out for their unique growth patterns. Rather than growing like a normal tree, these guys exhibit an unusual tendency to bend at the root before gracefully arching upwards. The scientists still have no freaking clue what’s really going on, but they all say it’s not normal.
5. Golden Boulder, Myanmar
A huge rock painted in gold sits awkwardly atop a small cliff. “So what,” you say? Well, it hasn’t moved an inch in 2500 years! People even built a cool pagoda on it, and it still remains unwavering. According to local legend, there’s a single strand of Buddha’s hair entrapped in it, and only a woman can unlock it. Regardless, this magnificent boulder remains off-limits to women, and scientists have no theories whatsoever.
6. Devil’s Tower, USA
Devil’s Tower is an iconic natural structure that stands almost 400 meters tall amidst a vast plain in the middle of Wyoming. Tourists and climbers love it, but getting to the top is not that easy. Its sheer and imposing cliffs are intimidating enough to scare off most of the daredevils. The origins of Devil’s Tower continue to spark debate among scientists, with some theorizing that it could potentially signify the presence of an advanced ancient civilization, while others argue it’s just a geological anomaly.
7. Piedra Movediza, Argentina
Another massive boulder was actively winning the battle against gravity. This rock, weighing over 300 tons, had been hanging precariously for thousands of years. Some locals even placed glass bottles at its base, and they burst, indicating that it was swaying slightly. Sadly, on February 29, 1912, the Davasko stone suddenly toppled over, seemingly without any rhyme or reason. 95 years later, the townspeople restored the majestic stone by placing a copy of it in the same spot. It doesn’t move, but it does serve as a reminder of something beautiful.