Oregon Vortex

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The Oregon Vortex is a roadside attraction located in Gold Hill, Oregon, in the United States. It consists of a number of interesting effects which skeptics believe to be optical illusions, but which the attraction's proprietors propose are the result of paranormal properties of the area (see gravity hill).[citation needed] It is located at 42°29′35″N 123°05′06″W / 42.49313°N 123.085113°W / 42.49313; -123.085113Coordinates: 42°29′35″N 123°05′06″W / 42.49313°N 123.085113°W / 42.49313; -123.085113.

Background

According to the locals, a gold assay office built in the area in 1904 slid from its foundation in the early teens, coming to rest at an odd angle. Odd angles seem to create an illusion of objects seemingly rolling uphill. The same effect can be seen in Pennsylvania's Laurel Caverns and at Santa Cruz, California's Mystery Spot. Oregon Vortex is also famous for "height change" as the relative height of the two people changes varying on where they stand.[1] Most people believe this effect happens due to a distorted background which results in a forced perspective, as with an Ames room.[2] It also shares similar properties with the mystery spot located outside St.Ignace in the upper peninsula of Michigan. The effects are interestingly similar.[3]

Television

The site was investigated on a second season episode of the SyFy reality show Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files, and although there seemed to be a small debate between the show's investigators over the "height change" phenomenon, they ultimately concluded that overall, all of the effects demonstrated were optical illusions.

It was also mentioned on season 3, episode 11 ("Mystery Spot"), of The CW's Supernatural by Jared Padalecki's character, Sam Winchester.

References

  1. ↑ Oregon Vortex official website. Retrieved December 2008.
  2. ↑ Oregon No-Vortex But they rule out background with angle changes using a stick. Retrieved December 2008.
  3. ↑ http://www.mysteryspotstignace.com/

External links

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