There have been reports of crop circles since the 17th century but it wasn't until the early 1970s that this unexplained phenomenon really began to take shape. They started out as simple circles and have now become complex geometric "agro-glyphs." Now Kidzworld has the real 411 on these mysterious occurrences.

What is a Crop Circle?

A crop circle is a gigantic pattern etched into the middle of a field, with no evidence of anyone or anything having been near the area. Often the chemical composition of the plants within the crop circle change, with the plant cells actually having burst. The soil inside the circles is found to contain more iron than the surrounding soil.

Where Do Crop Circles Appear?

Crop cirlces are most often discovered in fields of cereal grains such as wheat, corn, barley and rice. Crop circles have also been found etched in long grass and even snow. While travelling in England, Kidzworld founder Allen Achilles was able to walk through a crop circle - very freaky. They've been reported in fields around the world - from the US to Brazil, from Russia to South Africa - reports have been made in over 70 countries worldwide.

Where Do Crop Circles Come From?

There are many explanations as to where crop circles come from, but no one really knows for sure.
There is of course the UFO explanation... this theory has UFOs leaving imprints of their ships in fields. Often the crops within the circle appear burnt or at least drier than surrounding crops. Other people think intelligent life is coming and leaving the crop circles to communicate with us here on earth. It seems a little strange that a species with the brain power to travel across space to earth would leave obscure signs in the middle of remote wheat fields (instead of just saying "Hi",) but I guess anything is possible.

Another explanation is that there are either underground electromagnetic fields at work or there is some sort of external electromagnetic force at work. This explanation makes some sense since compasses and other devices have been reported to get all wonky, spinning around uncontrollably in, or near, a crop circle.

And for the skeptics out there, there is always the hoax theory. This is for you peeps who are sure that humans are behind the crop circle mystery and they are nothing more than hoaxes.

The Crop Circle Low Down

Britain seems to get more crop circle appearances than any other country. In 1990 alone, there were 700 crop circle reports made.

Two British men, Doug Bower and Dave Chorley, admitted in 1991 to creating some 300 crop circles with a piece of wood and some string. They say they've been up to these crop circle shenanigans since the 1970s.

A Mel Gibson movie called Signs, is due out August 2, 2002 and tells the story of a Pennsylvania farmer who finds crop circles in his wheat field.

Ok, here is what is going to happen maybe. (Note, This is not a mark from the movie.) In a few years, there are going to be more and more and more of them. Then sightings of the 1, 2, 3 and 4 kind. Spacecrafts, things walking around at night that don't look human, then there is going to be phenomenons. Then they will send ground troops. Why? Because they know we have nuclear missles and they're afraid that we will result in using them. Then the two outcomes - one, they leave Earth to re-gather or two, they win and we become slaves. That in my theroy is what will happen.

Kidz Submit By:

Nickname: Ligar0X
Age: 13

The crop circles in Britan may have something to do with the stonehedge, not too far from the farms.

Kidz Submit By:

Nickname: bugs bunny 13
Age: 15

I heard a story that a bunch of people got drunk and went out with wood and a string and made these. Honestly, WHY would an alien existence want to contact us? It's all a hoax.

Kidz Submit By:

Nickname: alilandry
Age: 15

So where do you think crop circles come from? Is it all a hoax, or something supernatural at work? Email us with your thoughts!

Last week we wrote about the legendary Bigfoot. Here's what you all thought of the creature that lurks in the woods:

Believe In Bigfoot or Not? Vote!

Yeah! I'm sure there's a Bigfoot out there. 36%
No way. There's definitely no Sasquatches out there. 18%
Well, maybe in Asia, but not in North America. 18%
I don't know. I haven't seen one. 27%

Related Stories:

Strange Diseases

Human Combustion

El Chupacabra

Get More Trippin' Info Here

Read more: Go Green