Mysteries Unveiled: Iranian Desert's 'Rig-e Jenn' and Antarctic Glacier Study

The 'Rig-e Jenn' [Rig-eh Jenn] desert in Iran, located in the south of the Dasht-e Kavir [Dasht-eh Kavir] desert and west of Semnan [Semnan] province, is known as one of the most frightening and mysterious places in Iran. Local beliefs suggest it is a place of jinn and spirits, leading to numerous legends of disappearances and unexplained phenomena. The desert features quicksand, salt crystals reflecting light, and sounds attributed to wind movement over the dunes, all contributing to its mystique. An international research team, supported by NASA and the National Science Foundation (NSF), is studying the Pine Island Glacier [Pine Island Glacier] in Antarctica. The expedition aims to understand how changes in water circulation beneath the glacier are causing it to accelerate and drain into the sea. This area is of particular concern due to its potential to significantly impact global sea-level rise. The team will use hot water drills to access the cavity beneath the ice shelf, deploying cameras and oceanographic instruments to measure temperature, salinity, and currents. Additionally, reflective seismology will be used to study the bedrock under the glacier.