Magnetic Hills!Where?Discussion with Raktim

What happens at Magnetic Hill? Well, there are a few different theories behind it. As per the most common theory, what is believed to be at work behind this mysterious phenomenon is a magnetic force so strong that it can pull cars uphill. It is in fact so notorious that even the airplanes that fly over this region increase their altitude in order to avoid magnetic interference.

Every tourist driver that passes through here would kill the engine to let the tourists experience how the car still kept moving. Some people are not aware about the mystery of magnetic hill in Ladakh and just pass through here; but the ones who do know stop their cars to verify whether what they heard was true or merely a made-up tale.

Magnetic Hill Explained – Truth Behind Magnetic Hill

There is a concept of optical illusion in neuroscience; which in layman’s language means that you either see something that is not there at all; or you see things different than how they physically are. Out of the numerous optical illusions recorded, there is one of Gravity Hill; which means that a very slight downhill slope appears to be an uphill slope.

Why it appears that way can actually be attributed to obstructed horizon, either completely or mostly. Our eyes and minds are used to using the horizon as a reliable reference; to be able to tell if a particular slope is straight or if there is a slant. Without the horizon, we will not be able to tell for sure. The same concept works in aviation as well. Pilots up in the sky cannot see the horizon; and if it weren’t for the electronic equipment and gadgets; they would never be able to tell if the plane is flying straight, upwards or downwards.If the horizon is obstructed, our minds get confused and can often perceive things to be horizontal or vertical when they are actually not. This illusion is much similar to that of Moon Illusion; where the moon appears to be much large to the horizon. Or Ames room Illusion where balls can appear to roll against gravity.

The Illusion

This same concept applies to our Magnetic Hill in Ladakh. This is purely a natural optical effect caused by the specific layout of hills that obstruct the horizon. That short stretch of the road that appears to be uphill as a matter of fact is downhill; and this is the reason why cars slowly gain momentum. The hills in front of your eyes at this stretch are naturally laid out in such a manner that they will deceive your mind; and lead it to believe that you are going up. Since your eyes cannot clearly see the horizon, there is no way for your mind to contradict.

Other Similar Phenomenon

The slope of gravity hills is an optical illusion, although sites are often accompanied by claims that magnetic or supernatural forces are at work. The most important factor contributing to the illusion is a completely or mostly obstructed horizon. Without a horizon, it becomes difficult to judge the slope of a surface as a reliable reference is missing. Objects which one would normally assume to be more or less perpendicular to the ground, such as trees, may actually be leaning, offsetting the visual reference.

The illusion is similar to the Ames room, in which objects can also appear to roll against gravity.

The opposite phenomenon—an uphill road that appears flat—is known in bicycle racing as a "false flat"