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Truth is stranger than fiction, they say. Well, we’re about to find out without stepping foot outside our homes.

Today we set out on a mission not to just explore Earth, but to explore Google Earth, a computer program that renders a 3D representation of Earth based primarily on satellite imagery. You can zoom in to your house or dive in for a 360° perspective of a random street in the world you may never visit in real life.

But Google Earth has gained people's attention and become a weird adventure of its own accord after users realized there are hundreds, if not thousands, of very weird places captured on there. It has become a destination for mystery and “what on Earth is happening over there?!” kind of reactions.

The “Weird Google Earth” project, which has both a Twitter account and a website, collects the funniest, weirdest, and most mysterious snaps that Google Earth’s and Google Maps’ cars and satellites have witnessed. Trust us, it feels like it doesn’t get weirder than this, until it does.

#1

"Goodbye Internet Explorer". Location: Gyeongju, South Korea

"Goodbye Internet Explorer". Location: Gyeongju, South Korea

Weird Google Earth Report

#2

"Bread Man". Location: Old City, Jerusalem

"Bread Man". Location: Old City, Jerusalem

Weird Google Earth Report

#3

"Jet Fighter On A Parking Lot". Location: Hagen, Germany

"Jet Fighter On A Parking Lot". Location: Hagen, Germany

Weird Google Earth Report

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Julia Mckinney
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"I just needed to hit the store for some snacks. What do you mean it's not allowed?"

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In order to find out more about how Google Earth works and what aspects of the program we need to be aware of when it comes to our privacy, Bored Panda reached out to Daniel Markuson, a cybersecurity expert at NordVPN.

Markuson explained that Google Earth creates a 3D representation of Earth based primarily on satellite imagery. “The program maps the Earth by overlapping satellite images, Google Street View images, and GIS (geographic information system) data onto a 3D globe, allowing users to see cities and landscapes from various angles.”

#4

"Japanese Bird People". Location: Tokyo, Japan

"Japanese Bird People". Location: Tokyo, Japan

Weird Google Earth Report

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Lazy Panda (she/her/hers)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't decide whether I hope the camera just happened upon a group of bird people going about their business, or that this is a group of people who bought their bird masks and laid in wait for the Google streetview car to hit their neighborhood, then they sprung into action.

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#5

"Church That Looks Like A Penis". Church That Looks Like A Penis

"Church That Looks Like A Penis". Church That Looks Like A Penis

Weird Google Earth Report

#6

"Did You Slip A Little There?". Location: Margate, England

"Did You Slip A Little There?". Location: Margate, England

Weird Google Earth Report

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martin734
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is an art installation in Margate, England. It was created by Alex Chinneck on a derelict house set to be demolished.

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However, there are some pretty big privacy concerns when it comes to Google Street View. Markuson explained that “Google Street View cameras are able to capture images and moments that people would like to keep private (such as protesters at an abortion clinic, people in bikinis, or other activities that are wanted to be private, even though they are visible from the public property).”

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#7

"The Black Ghost". Location: Klaipėda, Lithuania

"The Black Ghost". Location: Klaipėda, Lithuania

Weird Google Earth Report

#8

"So Many Things Going On". Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland

"So Many Things Going On". Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland

Weird Google Earth Report

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#9

"Is That A Ghost?". Location: Nauru, Micronesia

"Is That A Ghost?". Location: Nauru, Micronesia

Weird Google Earth Report

Also, Google Street cameras take pictures from an elevated position and are able to capture pictures over hedges that are designed to keep territories private.

Markuson said that “even though anyone can request to blur some parts of the picture, and usually the faces and car numbers are blurred automatically, there are still many images of potential break-ins, sunbathers, and individuals entering adult bookstores that could be found online as they were republished so many times.” He added that some examples are available even on reputable news websites like Business Insider or Cne

#10

"This Very Talented Truck". Location: Tonkawa, Oklahoma, USA

"This Very Talented Truck". Location: Tonkawa, Oklahoma, USA

Weird Google Earth Report

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Lazy Panda (she/her/hers)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one is a permanent advertisement, so a cool sight but not a unique moment caught on the camera. https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/33134

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#11

"A Literal Trainwreck". Location: Wells, Nevada, USA

"A Literal Trainwreck". Location: Wells, Nevada, USA

Weird Google Earth Report

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Moreover, the cybersecurity expert noted that people photographed by Google Street cameras never give their consent for doing that. “And this is a big privacy issue as anybody who wants to remain completely private in the digital world should have the right to do that.”

#13

"Two Red Ladies". Location: Dublin, Ireland

"Two Red Ladies". Location: Dublin, Ireland

Weird Google Earth Report

#14

"Creepy Headless And Hand-Less Dancing Man". Location: Brooklyn, New York, USA

"Creepy Headless And Hand-Less Dancing Man". Location: Brooklyn, New York, USA

Weird Google Earth Report

#15

"Giant Pink Bunny, Prata Nevoso, Italy". Location: Prata Nevoso, Italy

"Giant Pink Bunny, Prata Nevoso, Italy". Location: Prata Nevoso, Italy

Weird Google Earth Report

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wrenreiprich_1 avatar
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i recomend researching this one a bit! its super cool!

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Google Maps users also want to be aware of the fact that if you enable location tracking on your Google Maps, Google will collect data about your whereabouts under its Location History section. “It is being done across devices where you’re signed in with your Google account. If you’ve been keeping your location tracking on, you can see your own location history map here,” Markuson told us.

#16

"Aliens In Turkey". Location: Kusadasi, Turkey

"Aliens In Turkey". Location: Kusadasi, Turkey

Weird Google Earth Report

#17

"Shoutout". Location: Kinmen, China

"Shoutout". Location: Kinmen, China

Weird Google Earth Report

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AsexualCat
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ah yes "google steet view" edit: someone said it was a chinese person who wrote it so entirely understandable

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#18

"Bear Sighting". Location: Arges County, Romania

"Bear Sighting". Location: Arges County, Romania

Weird Google Earth Report

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Alexandru Bucur
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh wow, not only is it on the Transfagarasan, but it's 1km further up the road from Poenari Castle, which was the home of Vlad the Impaler. Now if the bear was grilling some "mici" on the side of the road or stole the Google guy's wallet, we could have all of the national stereotypes about my country in a single picture XD

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“Needless to say that by using Google Maps for planning routes and searching for places, you’re feeding Google with valuable information about your whereabouts which can later be used for targeting you with ads,” the cybersecurity expert added.

Meanwhile, Google Earth privacy issues are mostly connected to its Google Street View feature. “Many people don’t want their homes to be shown there as they see this as a breach of their privacy,” Markuson concluded.

#20

"Run For Your Life When You See This". Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

"Run For Your Life When You See This". Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Weird Google Earth Report

#21

"Not Something You’d Wanna See On The Road". Location: Turicachi, Mexico

"Not Something You’d Wanna See On The Road". Location: Turicachi, Mexico

Weird Google Earth Report

#22

"A Cocktail Of Strange Things". Location: Winnsboro. South Carolina, USA

"A Cocktail Of Strange Things". Location: Winnsboro. South Carolina, USA

Weird Google Earth Report

#23

"Garden Of The Un-Living". Location: Sabile, Latvia

"Garden Of The Un-Living". Location: Sabile, Latvia

Weird Google Earth Report

#24

"Catacombs Of Paris". Catacombs Of Paris

"Catacombs Of Paris". Catacombs Of Paris

Weird Google Earth Report

#25

"On The Sunken Ship". Location: Gulf Of Mexico

"On The Sunken Ship". Location: Gulf Of Mexico

Weird Google Earth Report

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kermit
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m imagining a Google car just floating down into the ocean onto a shipwreck

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#26

"Is This Safe?". Location: Navotas, Philippines

"Is This Safe?". Location: Navotas, Philippines

Weird Google Earth Report

#27

"Archery Practice". Location: Wallingford, Connecticut, USA

"Archery Practice". Location: Wallingford, Connecticut, USA

Weird Google Earth Report

#28

"Perfect Skiing Shot". Location: Mont Blanc, Europe

"Perfect Skiing Shot". Location: Mont Blanc, Europe

Weird Google Earth Report

#31

"Black Hole In The Sky". Location: Stuart, Florida, USA

"Black Hole In The Sky". Location: Stuart, Florida, USA

Weird Google Earth Report

#32

"Miyoshi Doll Village". Location: Miyoshi, Tokushima Prefecture, Japan

"Miyoshi Doll Village". Location: Miyoshi, Tokushima Prefecture, Japan

Weird Google Earth Report

#33

"Weird Diving Place". Location: Sao Paulo, Brazil

"Weird Diving Place". Location: Sao Paulo, Brazil

Weird Google Earth Report

#34

"What’s It Doing There?". Location: Kocani, North Macedonia

"What’s It Doing There?". Location: Kocani, North Macedonia

Weird Google Earth Report

#35

"La Cueva Del Diablo". Location: Potosi. Bolivia

"La Cueva Del Diablo". Location: Potosi. Bolivia

Weird Google Earth Report

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#36

"Pet Dino Skeleton". Location: Dixon, California, USA

"Pet Dino Skeleton". Location: Dixon, California, USA

Weird Google Earth Report

#37

"Cars The Movie Reject". Location: Carinthia, Austria

"Cars The Movie Reject". Location: Carinthia, Austria

Weird Google Earth Report

#38

"Bear Lover". Location: Gramado, Brazil

"Bear Lover". Location: Gramado, Brazil

Weird Google Earth Report

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Markus Holstein
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You could have chosen to not say that, but you made the conscious decision to do

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Shelby Minchew
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am more frightened of this bear than polar bears, Kodiak bear, black bear, grizzly and brown bear, sun bear, and, of course, Panda bear!

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#39

"Your Very Own Backyard Plane". Location; Roxas Blvd, Philippines

"Your Very Own Backyard Plane". Location; Roxas Blvd, Philippines

Weird Google Earth Report

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Alexandru Bucur
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's an old satellite photo - the whole garden is now immaculately maintained, since the whole place is a restaurant and also used for events, etc. Even the planes have been retrofitted to act as lounges. Oh and one more thing. "Lhuillier's (name the family which own the estate) soviet jet" is wrong, because that's an American McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30, serial number RP-C1544, operated by Cebu Pacific Air until 2002 and moved here in 2015. The other plane is indeed soviet however, since it's an Antonov An-24, serial number RP-C7205, last operated by Mosphil Aero, an airline which went bust in the mid 2000s

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#40

"What Is She Doing There?". Location: Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy

"What Is She Doing There?". Location: Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy

Weird Google Earth Report

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Lazy Panda (she/her/hers)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is that a human?? The proportions look all wrong. Please let it be a slightly deflated blowup doll or something.

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#42

"One Of A Kind Bmw". Location: Hagestein, Netherlands

"One Of A Kind Bmw". Location: Hagestein, Netherlands

Weird Google Earth Report

#43

"Don’t Look Too Close". Location: Ida-Viru County, Estonia

"Don’t Look Too Close". Location: Ida-Viru County, Estonia

Weird Google Earth Report

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Aoife Lorris
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I looked too close... I felt a calling deep in my soul... I am now one of them. There's no turning back.

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#44

"Tipped Car". Location: Chauconin-Neufmontiers, France

"Tipped Car". Location: Chauconin-Neufmontiers, France

Weird Google Earth Report

#45

"Tonopah Test Range Airport Bomb Target". Location: Nye County, Nevada, USA

"Tonopah Test Range Airport Bomb Target". Location: Nye County, Nevada, USA

Weird Google Earth Report

Note: this post originally had 62 images. It’s been shortened to the top 45 images based on user votes.

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