The question of whether there are places on Earth where humans have never set foot continues to intrigue readers. In a recent installment of The Guardian's long-running series, readers answer questions on topics ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific concepts. This week's query comes from Aaron Jones in New York, who asks: 'Are there places on Earth where humans haven’t been? And if so, why?'
Remote and Inaccessible Regions
Many readers point to deep caves, ocean trenches, and polar ice caps as potential candidates. For instance, the Mariana Trench's deepest point, Challenger Deep, has been visited only a handful of times, while vast stretches of Antarctica remain unexplored due to extreme cold and isolation. Similarly, dense tropical rainforests like the Amazon still contain areas inaccessible by road or river.
Technological and Environmental Barriers
Human exploration is limited by technology and environmental hazards. Deep-sea submersibles and cave-diving equipment are expensive and risky, while mountainous terrain and harsh climates deter expeditions. One reader notes that 'the deepest parts of the ocean are under immense pressure, making exploration extremely difficult.'
Why Some Places Remain Untouched
Reasons include lack of economic incentive, conservation efforts, and sheer remoteness. For example, the Gangkhar Puensum mountain in Bhutan remains unclimbed due to a ban on mountaineering above 6,000 meters for cultural reasons. Similarly, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault is off-limits to the public. Readers also highlight that some areas are deliberately left untouched to preserve ecosystems.
According to a reader response, 'Even in the 21st century, there are still places where no human has stepped, mainly because they are too dangerous or too remote to justify the effort.' Another adds, 'We have mapped almost all of Earth, but actually setting foot in every location is a different story.'
Readers are invited to submit their answers and new questions to nq@theguardian.com, with a selection published next Sunday.
