5 Most Amazing Google Earth Finds

Columbus and Magellan had it rough. Exploration these days is quite literally an armchair activity, as high-resolution satellite images and tools like Google Earth make it possible for anyone with an Internet connection to pore over the globe with a fine-toothed comb. There are entire online communities devoted to finding and cataloging the most unusual locales worldwide, creating 21st century atlases of minutiae. It isn't just for hobbyists, either — Google Earth has helped scientists find previously unknown ruins and police locate clandestine marijuana fields. Here are 5 of the most unusual discoveries.

1. Iraq’s Bloody Lake

This blood-red lake in Iraq has led to scary rumours that it has been caused by a nearby slaughterhouse that is responsible for an insane amount of bloodshed. An official explanation has never actually been offered but sceptics believe that it is most likely the cause of sewage in the water that has turned it into this polluted colour. The jury’s still out on this one.

2. Face in the Clay

This amazing shot was taken over Alberta, Canada. Quite clearly a face can be seen in what appears to be Native American headdress. The face has since been nicknamed the “Badlands Guardian”. The face is made up eroded clay in a valley. Some people have said that it looks like the head is wearing earphones. That sight is actually a road and an oil well.

3. Heart-Shaped Island

It’s located in the Adriatic off the Croatian coast and is currently uninhabited. It’s 130,000 square yards in size and has been named Galesnjak.

4. Lost Ship At Sea

The S.S. Jassim was a Bolivian cargo ferry that ran aground and sunk on the Wingate Reef off the coast of Sudan in 2003.

5. Swastika

The Coronado Naval Amphibious Base in San Diego was built back in 1967. Little did the architect and builders know though that an aerial shot taken by Google Earth in 2007 would unfortunately reveal that the four unconnected buildings form the shape of a swastika. Horrified by the revelation the Navy are now spending $600,000 to disguise the shape.