Authorities have seemingly solved a mystery involving eerie messages seen spelled out in scrap building materials in an empty lot in downtown Los Angeles. The satellite images showed the words "HELP," TRAFICO,

The messages of "help" have been seen tens of millions of times after images from Google Earth were shared on social media platform X/Twitter sparking concern online

The mystery behind viral satellite images showing the word "HELP" in an empty downtown Los Angeles lot has been solved. The words have been appearing for more than a year.

But one area has sparked major concern online as people have spotted mysterious ‘help’ signs. An empty lot in downtown Los Angeles has gone viral after a screenshot was shared to X in recent days. Google Earth images show the word ‘HELP’ repeatedly written in the dirt as well as ‘trafico’ and ‘LAPD’.

Viral images have a way of shaping people's perception of things even in the face of other information. A narrative can easily form without context or

Social media users have noted satellite imagery showing the words "HELP" and "TRAFICO" etched into the ground at a rail yard in Los Angeles.

After the department responded to an 'unknown trouble' call near Mission Road and the 101 Freeway on Sunday (26 January), a spokesperson said: "Upon arrival, officers conducted a thorough investigation and found no evidence of any criminal activity or threat in the area."

Messages reading ‘HELP’ and ‘TRAFICO’ in an LA rail yard spotted on Google Maps cause social media buzz (Google Maps)

Google Maps is very helpful with providing directions, but it has also proven to be a wealth of strange and interesting images. From UFO crashes on deserted islands to invisible men running away to creepy killer clowns to cheaters caught in the act to demons or aliens to petty neighbors,

Locals in Los Angeles have offered an explanation for the disturbing messages found written on the ground that sent the internet into a conspiracy spiral.