Videos Show Utah Natural Formations Blown to Bits — but Are They Real?

Inside Edition brought in a special effects artist to analyze the footage.

Officials are trying to find out if vandals really blew up ancient rock formations in Utah.

Videos that mysteriously appeared online appear to show the protected rock formations exploding. In one of the videos, laughter can be heard.

It takes millions of years for Mother Nature to form the spires of rock known as hoodoos and just a few seconds to blow then up in modern times. 

However, some are wondering if the videos are phony, with the dramatic explosions actually the work of special effects.

Special effects artist Ryan Beck analyzed the videos for Inside Edition and said one specific clue seems to indicate they are fake. "The clouds aren't moving," he said.

When the formation is blown up, the camera also jiggles at the moment of the explosion, another potential clue it's all a fabrication.

"The camera shakes way before the explosion goes off," Beck said. "At that distance, even if it was detonated, it would take probably about a second and a half before you would feel the impact."

In the meantime, park rangers at the Arches National Park in Utah are fanning out to see if they can find any signs of damage.

RELATED STORIES

Latest News