A unique place is located in the Olkhovsky district of the Volgograd region. The crater with steep high edges is filled with multi-colored sand, iridescent, like a fallen rainbow. Locals call the place the Martian Glade, Rusty Sands, or the Devil's Rumble.
It seems that the sand is watered with a solution of potassium permanganate. Colors - all shades of red, from pink, purple and burgundy to the most exotic colors. Sometimes in the crater are found pieces of fused rocks, semi-precious and precious stones.
Interesting features
From the vegetation in a strange place, only deformed dwarf birches with knots on branches and trunks and outgrowths have taken root. Interestingly, there is not a single birch tree on the sand. But they are in the center of the zone, and along its perimeter, and in Olkhovka itself.
Outside of Devil's play, the plants are absolutely nothing remarkable. The attraction is disputed between the Olkhovsky and Kotovsky districts.
In total, experts count 50 shades of sand. All colors are arranged in layers. There are both blood-red and terracotta tones. But the repetition of the same combinations twice in a row has never been noticed. The anomaly seems to be playing with tourists. It is noticed that sand has a healing effect.
The mystery of origin
In the air, the material removed from the depth changes color. You can walk around the Martian glade all day without fear of getting bored: inside a unique place, the wind forms mysterious breakers, moving in a circle and trying in vain to find a way out. Spectacular figures seem to be drawn by an invisible hand.
Probably, the formation was provoked by the strongest shock and heat impact after the fall of the meteorite. This version explains the pieces of fused rocks. Scientists suggest that the color of the sand in specific zones of the anomaly depended on the degree of heating and the rate of cooling of the sand.
There are opinions that such a crater could not have formed naturally. Therefore, there are versions about the connection of the place with the ancient Ergen River: multi-colored rocks are considered its heritage. It is always humid inside the crater, even during the heat. However, there is no scientific evidence for this version yet. And the contrast with the surrounding steppe is noticeable even in images from space. Colored even plants inside the zone.
Like another planet
Sand has an interesting effect: if you immerse your hands in it, they will shine for some time. Due to the unusual landscape and the predominance of red, the area is compared to Mars. The popularity of the name is also supported by the absence of an explanation for the anomaly.
Devilish play has the shape of a regular oval. The area is limited by multi-tiered earthen ramparts. In all this, the area completely resembles a classic crater. And audibility in a mysterious place is like in an old amphitheater. Even a low voice can be heard hundreds of meters away.
Ufologists suggested that the Martian Glade is an attempt by aliens nostalgic for their homeland to be closer to their favorite places. Therefore, a piece of space was brought to Earth. And the mystics have hypothesized that underground caves are garages for UFOs.
According to local beliefs, the participants in the uprising of Kondraty Bulavin once hid weapons and treasures here. Allegedly, neighboring residents have repeatedly fallen into underground caches.
