Imagine a forsaken place with no inhabitants in it. It gives an oblivious vibe, as there are only wrecked buildings and deserted shops scattered around. The thought of what happened there sends a chill down your spine. The ominous aura seems to seep into your brain, and you can hear the echoes along with the rush and cries of the people who once lived there.
This is true of more than 500 cities and settlements across the world. And the name given to these ghastly places in none other than Ghost Towns.
What is a ghost town?
A once thriving town which is now completely abandoned, is commonly referred to as a ghost town. With no people in sight, these eerie and desolate settlements evoke a spectral atmosphere. Dilapidated buildings, lonely graveyards and rusty remains of dysfunctional industrial equipment are all that is left in these types of communities. Some ghost towns are completely deserted while others have less than a dozen inhabitants living in them.
How does a town become a ghost town?
A town can become a ghost town over a single night or maybe even a century. There are various factors that contribute to the transformation of a once vibrant community into a ghost town. The most frequent causes of a town becoming a ghost town are when the economy fails, mining issues occur or technology malfunctions. Other causes include depleted natural resources, natural disasters, pollution, extreme weather conditions or even war!
Two well-known ghost towns
One of the world’s most famous ghost towns which holds considerable importance, is Pripyat in Ukraine. After the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in April 1986, the nearby city of Pripyat was contaminated and then quickly abandoned. Approximately thirty people died but over 67,000 managed to evacuate within thirty-six hours after the accidental catastrophe. Unfortunately, due to ground radiation problems, Pripyat won’t be habitable for another 20,000 years. In the meanwhile, it stands with its massive buildings and remnants of modern conveniences, waiting to be turned into a wasteland.
Another ghost town is Pillinger, which was once a bustling mining town in Australia. Nowadays, it stands as a haunting reminder of Australia’s past. Located in the remote western region of Tasmania, this abandoned ghost town was established in the late 19th century during the mining boom. Named after its founder, George Pillinger, the town thrived for a brief period. It attracted miners from all around the country in search of fortune. However, as the mining industry declined and resources depleted, Pillinger slowly lost its vitality. Today, all that remains are shabby structures, overgrown streets and a sense of desolation.
To sum it all up, the transformation of a town into a ghost town is a complex process that can be influenced by a myriad of factors. Whether it be an economic issue, natural disasters or extreme weather conditions, these communities stand as silent witnesses to the rise and fall of human settlements.
Writer : Harman
Grade : 7 (Year 2024)
Place : Sydney, Australia
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