A research team led by a geologist from the University of California has managed to unravel the mystery of a number of landscape formations, which are called the Mima mounds.
These grassy, oval or circular hills were first discovered as early as 1841 in the prairies of Washington state. In the 19th century, a theory appeared that these mounds were Indian burials. But the guess was not confirmed, since no relics or human remains were found inside the structures.
Later, many versions were put forward explaining the origin of the two-meter hills, which were later found in the states of Idaho, Oregon, California and Louisiana. Possible causes included natural disasters, such as floods and earthquakes, and even alien tricks.
Recently, geologist Manny Gabe from the University of California, who developed a computer model, proposed his version. She proves that huge earth citadels were built over 500-700 years by generations of ground squirrels, the size of which is only thirty centimeters and weighing several hundred grams.
The scientist noted that animals build small pyramids from pebbles, soil and wilted plants. These mounds have been built over the centuries, as generations of gophers live in the hills, who are constantly completing them. If we scale up their body sizes, it turns out that they build the largest structures. In terms of effort, it's like building the pyramids with just one person.
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Gabe has published the results of his computer model, which demonstrates the unique behavior of virtual gophers. As they work, the furry animals push the soil upward rather than digging deeper into the ground.
According to the LiveScience journalist, there is no data on the Mima mounds under construction, which indicates either the cessation of construction, or the very slow pace of work on the construction of the hills.
According to Ronald Sletten, a soil scientist at the University of Washington, who also studies the Mima mounds, Gabe's model is not definitive proof of the ground squirrel theory, but shows that it is quite possible.