and various conspiracy-themed stories that imagine Antarctica as a barrier concealing hidden lands and civilizations. The Worldbuilding Project (Beyond the Ice Wall 3.0)
Why do these theories persist? A significant amount of fuel for the "World Beyond" fire comes from historical anomalies surrounding Antarctic exploration.
Admiral Byrd’s own diaries and interviews add to the mystery. In interviews following the expedition, Byrd spoke of a land beyond the pole that was "an enemy territory" and urged the U.S. to prepare for an attack from the polar regions. Mainstream historians argue he was speaking metaphorically about the Soviet Union and the strategic importance of the poles in a nuclear age. But believers interpret his words literally: he saw the world beyond the ice, and he was warned to stay away.