Crop Circles Google EarthCrop circle enthusiasts are using Google Earth to track down the most interesting patterns in fields across Britain.
* Most complex crop circle ever discovered in British fields
*Google Earth and Facebook ‘dipping’ craze irks pool owners
* Robert Colvile: Why the world is addicted to Google Earth
The internet giant’s satellite mapping service has made it easier than ever for fans across the world to locate and study the phenomena, which previously had to be photographed from light aircraft. Message boards and online communities devoted to crop circles now play host to Google Earth maps and screenshots, allowing swift comparison of their locations and designs. Google Earth does not provide real-time images – its maps are usually at least six months old – so recent circles like the pi figure cut into a barley field in Wiltshire earlier this month are not yet visible.
But this does mean that many of the circles cut in previous summers can still be seen. Here we present 10 of the most impressive crop circles that have been found on Google Earth.
