Mysterious object spotted in lake on Google Maps leads to Reddit speculation about secret military base

Some users believe it could be an old boat or just a error in Google Maps’ photo rendering

Wednesday 05 January 2022 10:17 GMT
Comments
(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A mysterious shadow at the bottom of a lake has been spotted on Google Maps, and users on Reddit are guessing what it is.

The object is located in Pyramid Lake in Nevada. It appears to contain four sections, each one different in length.

It appears separate to the eponymous pyramid in the area, which is a small island near the south-eastern shore of the lake.

Some users suggested the area could be a restricted military underwater military base, due to the fact that a military installation base is located nearby.

“Lots of weird military bases near there, including Naval Underwater Warfare Center in the middle of the desert. Strange”, one user wrote.

Others argued it may be an abandoned boat. “Seems like a boat - a military boat which never actually got back to the surface", another wrote.

Yet another thought it could just be an issue with Google’s technology because “a lot of the times, especially with water photos, that you are looking at artifacts [sic] of the photomerging process or compression, not real features.”

The Independent has not yet been able to verify the true nature of the object.

It appears that the users are not taking the investigation too strenuously. When linked to reports from media outlets that had reported on their discussion, the original poster replied: “That is so hilarious. How they turned our curiousity [sic] and speculation into something so serious. But cheers thanks for pointing this out. We’re all famous now.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in