Las Vegas Review-Journal - 2019-05-XX - Desert Holes
Mysterious holes discovered outside Las Vegas as reports of massive insects spread online
Las Vegas – Federal and state officials are investigating a series of strange discoveries in the Nevada desert after dozens of perfectly round holes, each measuring roughly three feet in diameter, were found scattered across remote areas northwest of Las Vegas.
The holes, first discovered by off-road riders earlier this week, have sparked intense speculation online due to their unusual appearance and a growing number of reports involving what witnesses describe as “oversized insect-like creatures” moving through the desert at night.
The Bureau of Land Management confirmed Thursday that at least seventeen holes have been identified across several miles of desert terrain near an isolated dry lakebed roughly 80 miles from Las Vegas.
Photos released by investigators show smooth, circular openings descending straight into the ground. Some appear shallow, while others extend beyond the reach of inspection cameras.
“There are no obvious tool marks, blast patterns, or signs of excavation equipment,” said BLM spokesperson Erin Caldwell. “At this point, we are still determining whether these formations are natural, man-made, or connected to some kind of animal activity.”
That last possibility has drawn the most public attention.
Over the past four days, social media has filled with videos and eyewitness claims involving large, fast-moving creatures seen near the area after sunset. Descriptions vary, but many reports mention insect-like movement, reflective eyes, clicking noises, and sizes ranging from “dog-sized” to “larger than a car.”
Most footage released so far is blurry or distant, though one widely shared clip appears to show a pale, multi-legged shape rapidly crossing a desert road before disappearing into darkness.
Wildlife experts remain skeptical.
“There is currently zero evidence of giant insects existing in North America,” said entomologist Dr. Carla Nguyen from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. “People are seeing shadows, distorted images, or known animals under unusual conditions.”
Still, investigators admit several details remain difficult to explain.
According to local authorities, at least three abandoned vehicles were discovered near the site with extensive damage underneath the chassis. Tire lines at one location suggest a truck may have been dragged several feet sideways through loose sand.
Campers in the region have also reported hearing loud clicking or scraping sounds during the night.
“It sounded like metal tapping together,” said Arizona tourist Daniel Reeves. “Then something hit the side of our RV hard enough to shake it.”
Reeves and his family left the area before sunrise.
The situation has drawn additional interest because the discovery site lies relatively close to an area where small fragments from the recent meteor event were reportedly recovered days earlier. Federal agencies have repeatedly denied any connection between the meteor and the current investigation.
“We have no evidence linking recovered meteor material to wildlife mutations, environmental contamination, or biological hazards,” a Department of the Interior statement said Thursday morning.
That statement has done little to calm public speculation.
Online forums dedicated to the meteor event have exploded with theories ranging from underground species displacement to extraterrestrial organisms. One viral post claiming the holes are “nesting tunnels” received more than twelve million views overnight.
Authorities are now discouraging civilians from traveling to the area after multiple incidents involving armed curiosity seekers attempting to locate the holes themselves.
The Nevada Department of Wildlife has temporarily restricted access to portions of the desert while teams continue surveying the region.
Late Thursday evening, a helicopter crew assisting investigators reportedly spotted movement near one of the larger holes shortly before losing visual contact due to a dust storm.
Officials declined to elaborate further.
For now, the desert remains closed, the holes remain unexplained, and the stories about giant bugs continue spreading faster than investigators can disprove them.
Relationships
- Documents The Meteor Event — Discovery site near meteor fragment recovery area; public speculation links events
- Documents Terran Insectoid — Eyewitness descriptions strongly match Terran Insectoid creatures known from Terra
- Documents Meteor Fragments — Discovery site close to where meteor fragments were recovered last month