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Paranormal phenomena, or events beyond the scope of what can be explained by science, have long piqued the interest of people throughout many different civilizations and continue to be the subject of fascination and curiosity in popular culture. For example, a recent Pew Research Center poll found that 83% of American adults believe that things happen which cannot be explained by science or natural causes. 

Mineralogy, or the study of the chemical and physical properties of the mineral components of rocks, is often cited in paranormal research. Many cultures have spiritual connections to the environment and believe different objects possess supernatural properties. Quartz, for example, is widely used by certain indigenous cultures as a sacred stone for healing, meditation and protection. 

Geological events, like volcanos and earthquakes, can also inspire superstitions and are used by different cultures as evidence of otherworldly influence. Understanding a region's geological history and characteristics can offer insights into the origins of local legends and the reasons why certain areas are considered haunted or mysterious. 

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          By applying their expertise, USGS scientists can provide valuable insights into whether such phenomena have a natural origin or if further investigation is needed to explore other possible explanations. Their work helps differentiate between natural geological events and more speculative claims, contributing to a clearer understanding of the earth's impact on perceived anomalies.

          Since the U.S. Geological Survey is a federal agency, USGS experts often respond to public inquiries into a wide range of topics. Among these are requests to investigate and explain mysterious anomalies. Here are some examples when USGS scientists were called upon to become paranormal investigators:

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Divining rods, or dowsing rods, have a long history dating back to ancient civilizations like those in China and Egypt, where it was commonly believed that a forked stick could locate underground water or valuable minerals. In the early 20th century, the USGS received numerous questions about the effectiveness of divining rods for locating underground water, among other things, and faced persistent demands to investigate the validity of these claims. Over the centuries, divining rods were used extensively, particularly in rural areas, despite increasing skepticism and scientific investigations in the 18th and 19th centuries. 

By 1917, the U.S. Geological Survey had received so many public inquiries into the reliability of dowsing rods that our scientists prepared a response. Arthur J. Ellis, a USGS research hydrologist, compiled a study reviewing several investigations into “water witching,” as the practice was called, and the historical uses of dowsing rods. In his study, Ellis found there was no reliable evidence supporting the use of a dowsing rod. 

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Oscar E. Meinzer, the chief of the Ground Water Division of USGS from 1912 to 1946, deemed any further testing a waste of public funds, stating “To all inquirers the United States Geological Survey therefore gives the advice not to expend any money for the services of any ‘water witch.’” Today, while scientific evidence does not support their effectiveness, the practice persists among enthusiasts, with various dowsing tools still being marketed and used across the country.

"Brown Mountain – in the Blue Ridge country of western North Carolina—is the stage and setting for the intermittent performances of the “mysterious lights” that have provoked legend and song since the beginning of the century." ~ From the 1971 republication of Mansfield's 1922 study.

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For over a century, mysterious lights have been witnessed in Burke County, North Carolina, near Brown Mountain. Some have thought that these lights were of supernatural origin whereas others suggested that they might result from natural causes. The mystery of the Brown Mountain Lights continued to be unsolved until 1922 when Congressional representatives requested that the U.S. Geological Survey send a scientist to observe and determine the origin of the lights. 

The lights were well known throughout the local community and even reported on by the Charlotte Daily Observer:

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The USGS sent George R. Mansfield, a research geologist, to investigate. After extensive review of prior research and interviews with local community members, Mansfield began trying to observe the lights himself, with the help of a plane table, an alidade, a compass, a camera, a barometer and flashlight. 

As noted in his report, Mansfield concluded that “the Brown Mountain lights are clearly not of unusual nature or origin.” He’s investigation showed the cause to be a combination of natural and human conditions, including automobile and train headlights and the prevailing fog in the valley. Today, the lights remain a popular subject of folklore and tourist interest, continuing to intrigue both locals and visitors alike. 

For over 150 years mysterious booming sounds have been reported in coastal North Carolina and other regions throughout the eastern United States. These noises, some powerful enough to rattle windows and shake buildings, are known as “Seneca guns”. Their name derives from Lake Seneca in upstate New York where the deep, hollow, and imposing sounds had first been described by "The Last of the Mohicans" author James Fenimore Cooper in 1850. 

The mysterious sounds have inspired several theories. Some people believe the noises could be the result of ghostly manifestations or ancient curses linked to spirits or historical events while others speculate that the sounds might be caused by extraterrestrial activity or anomalies in time and space. However, these conclusions do not rely on any scientific evidence. 

After another sequence of booms occurred, a local reporter from WETC in Wilmington, North Carolina reached out to the USGS in early 2011. Local residents recounted the event as feeling “feels like a Mack truck driving by and it just shakes your whole house."

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In response, USGS seismologist David Hill began an investigation to pinpoint the exact cause of these booming sounds, using a modern and thorough scientific approach. This involves using seismic networks to detect any potential earthquake activity, deploying acoustic infrasound sensors to track atmospheric sounds, and considering local geological and environmental factors, like earthquakes or storm waves. 

As a result of his efforts, Hill found no significant seismic activity linked to the booming sounds, suggesting that the phenomenon has likely an atmospheric rather than seismic cause. However, the exact source of the Seneca Guns remains elusive, and further data collection and analysis are needed to pinpoint the origin of these puzzling sounds.