Another Mysterious Metal Structure Has Appeared in the U.S. Desert

Hikers outside of Las Vegas have been treated to quite a strange phenomenon in the middle of the desert in recent days. A so-called "mysterious monolith" appeared on a hiking trail, prompting local law enforcement to issue a statement—and a warning to visitors.

"We see a lot of weird things when people go hiking like not being prepared for the weather [or] not bringing enough water, but check this out!" Las Vegas police wrote on X. "[Search and rescue] spotted this mysterious monolith near Gass Peak north of the valley."

Authorities went on to remind hikers of the importance of the TRAIL acronym when exploring the great outdoors. "Tell someone where you intend to hike or climb and when you are expecting to return. Research the weather forecast for the area before you go. Aid and additional food and water! A.k.a., bring plenty of water, food, [and a] first aid kit. Inclement weather gear and minimal overnight stay. Light: Bring a light source, completely charged phone, and consider a P.L.B. (personal locator beacon)."

It's not the first time a similar, strange hunk of metal has popped up somewhere; in fact, it's not even its first time in the desert in the American West. One was first seen on public lands in Utah in 2016 and remained there unnoticed for more than four years before it was removed in late 2020.

Since then, monoliths similar to this one have been seen in random locations around the world, including fields in Austria and parks in India. Most of the sightings took place in December 2020 as it was seen in many cities across the globe in the span of just a few weeks. The creators of this monolith, like the original, have yet to be identified.