Desert Fairy Circles In the vast and seemingly barren desert of Namibia lies a mystery that has stumped scientists for decades The Namibian Fairy Circles These puzzling circles each about 39 feet in diameter appear as perfectly round patches of barren earth surrounded by lush vegetation What's more millions of them spread across 1,100 miles of the arid grasslands of southern Africa Numerous theories have been proposed over the years to explain the origins of these circles but none have been able to provide a definitive answer One theory was that the presence of the Fairy Circles is the work of termites eating away at the grass from its roots Others on the other hand suggest that the plants were somehow being prompted to grow in this unusual pattern on their own Some even speculate that they may hold the key to understanding how life can thrive in such a harsh environment Visitors to the region can explore the Fairy Circles on foot or by air marveling at their unusual beauty and pondering the mystery that surrounds them Whether the circles are the work of mystical fairies or simply a natural phenomenon they remain one of the most fascinating mysteries of the natural world