|
|||||
|
|||||
| International Directory of Magnetic Hills, Gravity Hills, Mystery Hills and Magnetic Mountains  . |
| To add other 'Hills' to this site simply send us an e-mail. Please be as specific as possible. |
| . |
| . |
| Australia - Canada - Dominican Republic - Great Britain - India - Philippines - USA - Media |
| . |
| Introduction - New Sites - This One is a Hoax |
| Introduction Sometimes you may find or hear of a mysterious place where objects can apparently roll uphill. This is a remarkably common illusion which is found in numerous locations around the world. Usually it is a stretch of road in a hilly area where the level horizon is obscured. Objects such as trees and walls which normally provide visual clues to the true vertical, may be leaning slightly. This creates an optical illusion making a slight downhill look like an uphill slope. Objects may appear to roll uphill. Spots where the illusion is especially powerful often become tourist attractions. Tour guides may like to claim that the effect is a mystery or that it is due to magnetic or gravitational irregularities or even that it is a paranormal phenomenon which science can not explain. This is not true of course. Natural irregularities can only be detected with sensitive equipment and cannot account for these places but science can easily explain them as optical illusions. There are several things which enable us to sense which way is up. The balance mechanism in our inner ears is one system we have, but visual clues are also important and can be overriding. If the horizon cannot be seen or is not level then we may be fooled by objects which we expect to be vertical but which aren't really. People often overestimate the angle of a slope. If you are standing on a slope of 1 degrees it will seem like a slope of 5 degrees. Because of this effect the anti-gravity illusion can seem stronger than it should be even when you know the cause. Even when the true cause is understood it can be difficult to believe. If you think there is a magnetic anomaly just use two plumb lines, one made of iron and one of stone. They would hang at different angles if a strong magnetic field was acting horizontally. However, it is not always easy to demonstrate that a slope which appears to go uphill is really going downhill. The only reliable way of determining the true horizontal is by careful surveying. If a good topographical map of the area is available it may be sufficient to show which way the land is really sloping. The results will confirm the illusion. . |
| New sites, Home Pages, Broken Links |
| We would like to hear from you if you have information about new sites or if you have additional information about sites already listed in our directory. Home Pages. Once we have received enough information about a location (pictures and detailed directions on how to get there) we will make a free home page for 'your' local Magnetic Hill, Gravity Hill or whatever it is called in your area. The home page will be directly linked to your community. It can be used to draw more tourists to your area and to promote local businesses. Broken Links. Please contact us to report any broken links. . |
| Sorry, this site is a myth, a hoax or simply is no longer there! |
| There are scores of hills mentioned on the Internet without any detailed information about them. We will check out every Magnetic Hill, Gravity Hill or Mystery Hill reported. If there is enough evidence (pictures, maps or detailed instructions) they will be added to our International Directory. If there isn't, the location is most likely a myth or hoax and will be listed below. |
| Country | Reported Location | Hoax or Myth dispelled |
| USA | Franklin Lakes, NJ | This is a myth, no mystery. It is a down hill and cars are expected to go down hill. This belongs in the hoax box. Borough of Franklin Lake, Mayor Tom. 13 October, 2003 |
| Canada | Abbotsford, BC | Many inquiries were made to local authorities. The existence of a Gravity Hill located on McKee Road could not be confirmed. |
