A bizarre worm-like cloud appeared this week over Alaska’s Lazy Mountain, sparking conspiracy theories and demanding an investigation and explanation from Alaska State Troopers.
It began at 7 a.m. on Thursday, April 7, and images show the smoke trail resembling everything from a falling meteor to a burnt aircraft. Social media theories included rumours of an eruption, a crashed UFO, and a Russian weapon linked to the ongoing fight over Ukraine.
Rumours of a suspected plane crash finally drew the attention of Alaska State Troopers and the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center.
“There have been no reports of overdue aircraft or ELT activations indicating an aircraft crash. A rescue team on a helicopter flew a mission around the Lazy Mountain area this morning and located nothing suspicious, and there were no signs of crashed aircraft,” Alaska State Troopers said in a release.
Fortunately, officials provided a clear explanation for the phenomenal sight.
“Further investigation revealed that a large commercial jet was flying in that area around the time that the photos and video were taken. The aircraft was contacted and reported normal flight operations on its way to JFK airport in New York. Troopers believe that the photos and videos showed a contrail from the commercial jet combined with the rising sun which together caused the unique atmospheric sight.”
Commenters on social media pounced on different ideas, with some speculating about a government cover-up of a UFO crash or secret weapons testing.
“The old swamp gas reflecting light from Venus story,” one man wrote. “Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy could have come up with a better story than this,”