Unusual lights observed in the night sky above Mexico's Popocatépetl volcano have generated a wide range of theories, from extraterrestrial visitors to the possibility of advanced, hidden terrestrial civilizations. A time-lapse video, compiled from 30 minutes of footage into a 30-second clip, showed peculiar lights moving over the active stratovolcano, sparking considerable discussion on social media. The event, witnessed from Tianguismanalco, Puebla, has once again focused attention on the mystique surrounding this prominent geological landmark.
Popocatépetl, one of Mexico's most active volcanoes, has a history of unusual sightings, including reports of unexplained lights and objects near its crater. This ongoing fascination with unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) continues to fuel public interest and scientific inquiry. While conventional explanations often involve terrestrial or extraterrestrial origins, a more unconventional theory, the "cryptoterrestrial hypothesis," has gained traction. This hypothesis, explored by researchers Tim Lomas and Brendan Case from Harvard University, and Michael Masters from Montana Technological University, suggests that UAP might originate from intelligent beings concealed within Earth or its surroundings, such as underground, on the moon, or even living among us undetected. The researchers estimate the validity of this idea between 1 to 10 percent, advocating for its scientific consideration with epistemic humility and openness. Their academic exploration has been published in journals like Philosophy and Cosmology.
The cryptoterrestrial hypothesis encompasses various possibilities, including ancient surviving human civilizations, evolved non-human societies, or extraterrestrial entities with a hidden presence on Earth. Popocatépetl itself is a significant geological feature, standing at 5,426 meters in central Mexico. Its current period of volcanic activity began in 2014, marked by frequent emissions of gas, steam, and ash. The volcano's dynamic nature has previously led to explanations for unusual lights being attributed to volcanic material or atmospheric phenomena. However, the recent sightings, combined with the academic discourse on the cryptoterrestrial hypothesis, have opened new avenues for interpretation, encouraging a broader perspective on the mysteries observed above and within our planet. Notably, in May 2023, a significant eruption with an ash cloud occurred, which could have been mistaken for a UFO.