The mystery behind the self-fuming hills for centuries

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Smoking Hill is located east of Cape Bathurst Cape, northwestern Canada, where a strange natural phenomenon occurs. Without any exploitation industry or any other human influence, the hillsides along the coast here naturally smoke continuously.

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It was discovered in the early 1800s by Captain Robert McClure, Irish explorer. He went to the North Pole in search of Sr John Franklin, the leader of the expedition who disappeared while on his way to explore the northwestern waters of the maple leaf country.

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Upon seeing the smoke, the captain ordered the crew to investigate the location, in case it was a signal from the missing explorer. However, upon reaching the hill, Robert McClure saw no sign of life. Whether summer or winter, the red hills still smoke white non-stop.

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Initially, explorers believed volcanic activity caused the hills to burn. However, the correct scientific explanation for this phenomenon is that centuries-old smoky hillsides originate from oil shale, a sedimentary rock rich in coal and brown coal, located underground in the site. field.

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According to Atlas Obscura, the giant rock formations ignite spontaneously when the hills are eroded and exposed to oxygen. This process also produces eye-catching rainbow colors with layers of dark red and white mud rock.

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There are no roads leading to this area, so visitors can only reach this place by plane, helicopter or boat. The community closest to Smoking Hill is located in Paulatuk, a village in Inuvik, Canada, more than 100 kilometers east.

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The cliffs are named after explorer John, the first European to see this unique site on an expedition in 1826, before he disappeared.