National Geographic | THE COMPASS

National Geographic

THE COMPASS

This week, we go west to discover the history and mystery of a remote Californian island and dive into an alternative music scene Plus, we explore the ‘Uranium Gold Rush’? Also, gear up for the 2024 Paris Olympics with this unique mascot.

Artist Holli Harmon imagines the lone woman on San Nicolas island in the 1800s

ILLUSTRATION BY HOLLI HARMON

WAS SHE A CASTAWAY?

The mystery woman of San Nicolas Island (illustrated above) has captured the imaginations of 19th-century settlers and scholars alike. She accompanied otter hunters to Santa Barbara from California’s most remote island. What was more shocking—she seemed to have spent 18 years on the island alone. How?

Related: Explore 13,000 years of human history on this remote California island

Two men stand on stage playing guitars

PHOTOGRAPH BY ALANNA HALE

THE BIRTH OF CALIFORNIAN PUNK

California’s punk rock revolution didn’t happen where you think. Always housing a more rebellious spirit, Berkeley’s 4.5-mile Telegraph Avenue is a testament to its key role in the origination of punk music. From old-school music shops to vinyl emporiums, see how punk rock became part of the city’s lifeblood.

IT’S PUNK ROCK

Related: How Japan’s culture capital became a hotspot for live music

A portrait of the Colorado Cannibal

EVERETT COLLECTION HISTORICAL / ALAMY

VILLAIN OR VICTIM?

In the fall of 1873, Alferd Packer (pictured above) joined a group of prospectors headed to southwestern Colorado. But winter arrived early that year—and with a vengeance. Travelers had to do what they must to survive and only one of the original six men that left on the trip returned. What happened?

PASSING VERDICT

GOOD READS

This little-known network of water trails can get you paddling across the U.S.

Paris made an Olympic-sized effort to clean up the Seine—did it work?

Meet the people redefining the ‘Old West’

These early humans lived 30,000 years ago, but had modern faces

Why this ancient hat is the 2024 Olympic mascot

A waitress poses with a 'Uranium Burger'' at a diner in Salt Lake City, Utah, 1954. The sandwich was named after the city's booming Uranium industry.

PHOTOGRAPH BY CARL IWASKI, GETTY IMAGES

AMERICA’S URANIUM ‘GOLD RUSH’

Nearly a century after California’s famous gold rush came the United States’ last big mineral rush. This time, however, prospectors were equipped with geiger counters. At the dawn of a nuclear age, Uranium became a hot commodity (pictured above, a waitress holding a ‘Uranium Burger’). What happened as a result?

RADIOACTIVE MINING

Related: How the ‘First Lady of Physics’ transformed the field
Also: The man behind the Manhattan Project

Today’s Soundtrack: California and Me, Laufey

WHAT WILL WE EXPLORE NEXT?

Be sure to check your inbox next week to find out.

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