The mystery of the "black hole" in the Pacific Ocean has been unveiled: discover what created this enigmatic triangle (photos included).

This Google Maps image, captured in 2021, revealed a mysterious dark triangular spot in the center of the Pacific Ocean, sparking bizarre rumors about its origin. At that time, the mysterious object, dubbed the "black hole," generated numerous theories, but the truth turned out to be much simpler, reports Live Science.

The screenshot was first shared on Reddit and labeled as an island, yet this did not prevent a plethora of theories surrounding its origin from emerging. These unusual ideas included a deep pit beneath the planet and a top-secret military base that had been blurred out. Fortunately, it was soon discovered that the strange, coal-black triangular structure in the Pacific Ocean was actually a small uninhabited island cloaked in dense trees.

Researchers found that the dark spot was, in fact, the island of Vostok, one of 33 landmasses that make up the Republic of Kiribati in the southern Pacific Ocean. According to the researchers, the island is a coral atoll covering only about 0.25 square kilometers, located approximately 6,000 kilometers east of Australia.

Scientists believe that the black color seen in the Google Maps image is a result of densely populated Pisonia trees, which almost entirely fill the interior of the island. These trees are dark green, but at such high concentrations, they appear much darker from low earth orbit.

It is known that Pisonia trees grow incredibly close to one another, often hindering other species of trees or plants from taking root between them, as they block out too much light.

The thick foliage also attracts numerous seabirds, including boobies, sandpipers, and frigatebirds, as evidenced by a 1971 study. These birds become coated in sticky seed capsules, thereby aiding in their dispersal to other islands.

Research has shown that in other parts of the world, some birds have been known to get so trapped in Pisonia capsules that they become ensnared and die. This sometimes results in entire piles of bones being found beneath the trees.

Interestingly, before the island of Vostok was discovered by scientists in 1820, there were no signs that humans had ever lived there. Researchers also note that there have been no records of permanent residents on the island since then. This is believed to be due to the lack of a reliable source of fresh water on the island.