The Salish Sea is a beautiful marginal sea that is famous for its cultural history and rich and diverse biodiversity, located in the Canadian province of British Columbia and the state of Washington. However, since 2007, something mysterious has been happening on its shores that has baffled researchers and scientists. At least 20 severed human feet have washed ashore on this beach, which has slightly tarnished the reputation of this stunning landscape.
Interestingly, the mystery of Salish Beach is put under the spotlight in the new Netflix docuseries, Files of the Unexplained. Consisting of eight episodes, every episode takes a look at an unexplainable phenomenon that has occurred in North America. Some of these phenomena include ghost sightings, contact with extraterrestrial entities, and unexplainable disappearances. Furthermore, it features witnesses and experts who try to find answers to uncanny questions.
The Salish Sea human foot discoveries are discussed in the final episode of this docuseries. Titled, “File: Floating Feet of Salish Sea”, its synopsis reads, “In recent history, a bizarre mystery has rattled beachcombers and investigators alike: Why are severed feet being found on the shores of the Salish Sea?”
The first ever human foot was discovered in the Salish Sea on August 20, 2007. Reports suggest that when a 12-year-old girl was walking on the shore, she came across a blue and white running shoe. On the surface, this shoe looked like a random piece of junk. However, upon closer inspection, the girl discovered a human foot attached to the shoe.
Over the years, more than 20 detached human feet have been discovered in this sea. Interestingly, experts believe that they have finally managed to solve this mystery.
The Salish Sea human foot mystery was caused by crabs and lobsters
Reports suggest that almost all severed feet discovered at the Salish Sea had tennis shoes on. However, some of them were also in hiking boots. Over the years, several theories and speculations have originated from this uncanny occurrence. While some say that it was the work of a deranged serial killer, others believe that the feet belonged to drowned migrants. One theory also suggests that the feet were remnants of the victims of a plane crash.
To find answers, researchers spent a long time understanding how human cadavers functioned underwater. Furthermore, it was important to learn the Salish Sea’s behavior itself. Scientists began their research by experimenting with pig carcasses. According to a National Geography report, when a human drowns, their body usually sinks.
Scientist Gail Anderson of Simon Fraser University stated that when the body touches the ocean bed, sea creatures like lobsters and crabs begin feasting on them. He then explained how modern running shoes play a major role in causing the aforementioned phenomenon. He stated, “Feet easily disarticulate, and when they are attached to a flotation device such as a running shoe, they are easily washed ashore. Notice there are no feet washing ashore in stiletto heels or flip-flops. Also, today’s running shoes are much more buoyant than in the past.”
In addition, Parker MacCready of the University of Washington, an oceanography professor, revealed that the conditions of the Salish Sea also push the severed feet toward the shore. He said that objects that float on the sea move with ocean currents. Due to the east-to-west Pacific Ocean wind flow, they end up in the Salish Sea.
