Fairy circle

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Fairy circle in Namibia

Fairy circles are enigmatic barren patches, typically found in the grasslands of the western part of southern Africa.

They are most prolific in Namibia, but are also present in Angola and South Africa. These fairy circles consist of round areas barren of vegetation; as yet there is no clear picture as to how they are formed, although scientists are researching the matter. One theory suggests termites as the creator of these circles, but recent studies have stated that there is no evidence termites would cause this phenomenon. In the oral myths of Himba people these barren patches are said to have been caused by the gods and/or spirts and natural divinities.

Studies done by South African scientists shows that these circles are under continuous development. They are grow in diameter, expanding to as large as 9 m in diameter, where they mature and "die", filled in by invasive grasses.