The United States has been home to some weird and unexplained mysteries over the years. A photographer in Oregon discovered a deadly hole that appeared to drain into the ocean and strange fossils in Utah fueled speculation about “alien” life on Earth. Additionally, a unique stone in Oklahoma left researchers wondering if Vikings reached America centuries before Columbus.
Now, a new mystery is making headlines. A weird-smelling fog has been reported across the country, particularly in Florida. Of course, Florida is no stranger to strange happenings. For instance, in 2022, fossil hunters accidentally discovered a 500,000-year-old mass grave in a sinkhole. However, this strange fog is far more bizarre than stumbling upon a prehistoric grave.
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Americans Are Experiencing A Mysterious Weird-Smelling Fog All Over The Country
Many people have reported seeing a mysterious, weird-smelling fog in their neighborhoods. The strange phenomenon has become even more publicized in Florida, with residents sharing a slew of social media videos.
In November 2024, TikTok user @david_bamber from St. Petersburg, Florida, documented his experience with the fog. He noted that it lingers longer than usual and has a distinctive chemical odor.
What’s even more unsettling is that viewers from all over the world have had similar experiences:
- “[It’s the] same here in Switzerland. [The] fog smells different.”
- “In Norway, we [have] morning fog in [autumn]… But this is something different, and people don’t understand. [I’ve smelled] this metallic smell since the summer.”
- “[It’s the] same in Belgium/Europe… [The] white fog [lasts] for 2-3 days. It stings [just] like you [said]!”
- “It’s been foggy in the UK for the past 3 days.”
Another TikTok user, @spfphotographyfl, filmed the fog at night using a strong flashlight. The footage revealed floating particles that disturbed many viewers.
Some report the fog made them physically ill after coming into contact with it:
- “I got sick leaving Florida after Christmas. [I] kept smelling sulfur. That fog was not right.”
- “I’m honestly so sick from hiking in it. My throat, sinuses, [and] my body [are] sore.”
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Americans Have Come Up With Conspiracy Theories About The Mysterious Fog
They believe the fog may be part of a top-secret government experiment
Some Americans have turned to conspiracy theories to explain the mysterious fog. One of the most popular theories is that the fog is actually “smart dust,” or microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors that are often thought to be used by the military for surveillance.
Others speculate that the fog could have resulted from weather manipulation or geoengineering, which is the intentional modification of Earth’s climate.
- “Cloud seeding?”
- “Weather manipulation, cloud seeding… [and] geoengineering [have] been happening for years.”
Although it’s unlikely that the fog is related to weather manipulation, the concept is not entirely unrealistic.
For example, cloud seeding is a real technique that can induce rainfall. Small-scale solar geoengineering tests were also performed in California but were promptly scrapped due to public backlash.
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During this test, the military sprayed the air with a bacterium called Serratia marcescens off the San Francisco coast over the course of six days. The government hoped to study how a potential bioweapon might spread in a major city, but at the time, they didn’t know that the test would cause so much harm.
Approximately one week after the release of Serratia marcescens into the air, 11 people were hospitalized with severe urinary tract infections. Among the exposed, one man died.
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What’s The Real Reason For The Mysterious Weird-Smelling Fog In The U.S.?
There’s a scientific explanation for why it’s making Americans sick
Despite the many conspiracy theories, there is a scientific explanation for this phenomenon and why it’s making some people sick. The thick fog many Americans have seen across the country is most likely advection fog, which is caused when warm, moist air moves slowly across a cooler, wet surface.
Many videos on social media show people shining flashlights into the fog and seeing visible particles floating in the air. This is because thick fog generally contains thicker than usual droplets. According to the Tyndall effect, the particles are also more visible due to how light scatters.
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What Could Be In The Fog?
The irritation, sore throats, and other symptoms people have experienced due to the mysterious fog across America could be caused by exposure to pollutants trapped in fog droplets.
While the fog itself isn’t necessarily dangerous, with so many possible pollutants in the air, it’s no surprise people have reported feeling sick after coming into contact with it.
* Original Article:
https://www.thetravel.com/mysterious-smelly-fog-in-usa-making-americans-sick/
