crop circles mystery

奄美大島の海底に時々現れ、「ミステリーサークル」と呼ばれる砂地に描かれた美しい模様は、フグが産卵のために作った巣だったということは約１年前に解明されました。今回、その結果が論文という形で英科学誌「サイエンティフィック・リポーツ」で発表され再び注目を集めています。
さて、その「ミステリーサークル」ですが、これは和製英語。英語ではcrop circlesもしくはcorn circlesと呼ばれます。本家の謎の解明はまだですが、たしかに畑の小麦などが円形になぎ倒された模様なので（"a pattern that appeared in British farm fields, which some people believe were made by creatures from another world"--LDOCE）、cropの方が理にかなっています。（UG）

Japan crop circles mystery solved with one small pufferfish

This week, the mystery of the Japan crop circles was solved and underwater photographer Yoji Ookata couldn’t be happier about it. Earlier this year, Ookata discovered an underwater crop circle located off the coast of southern Japan and he brought a camera crew back this week to photograph it when he discovered what created the crop circles in the first place.

The crop circles were discovered off the southern Japanese island of Anami Oshima, and Ookata named the formation “mystery circle.” The public has been very curious about what created the crop circles and some people compared them to other circles from around the world, and some speculated that they may have been created by aliens. But as it turns out, one small pufferfish appears to have created the whole thing while trying to attract a mate.

September 23, 2012
http://www.examiner.com/article/japan-crop-circles-mystery-solved-with-one-small-pufferfish-video