Legendary Seed: ashokan

Special Achievements

• Perfection! This seed has achieved one or more perfect scores.
• Legendary Seed! This seed has scored an astonishing 55+ out of 70 in the overall score.
• Golden! This seed has scored higher than 50 out of 70 in the overall score.
• Premium! This seed has scored higher than 40 out of 70 in the overall score.
• Rolling! Higher than 8 out of 10 in hills and mountains.
• Spelunked! Higher than 8 out of 10 in caves.
• Cakewalk! Higher than 8 out of 10 in visible resources.
• Anseled! Higher than 8 out of 10 in awesome features.

Rating

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• ++ Advanced ++
• Expert
• Suicidal Expert

Spawn and Version

Spawn: 20.65.9
Version: XBL 1.1.1 (equiv Beta 1.7.3)

Seed Score MH 9.6 DW 4.4 C 9.1 W 7.6 SP 6.4 VR 8.1 AF 10.0     55.2

Etymology

Ashokan was the name of the house Jimi Hendrix stayed in when he lived outside of Woodstock.

My Review

Here it is, people. The part where Minecraft blows your brains out all over the floor, compresses the bits into lapis lazuli, and then sells them on Ebay for a tidy little profit.

If you're on a quest to find the perfect flatland, then this seed is not for you. How do I even put into words what I found on this seed? I can tell you almost every square inch of the map is covered by a mountain and that most of them are doing something ridiculous like hiding bad guys in their shadows or casting twisted, gnarled spires into the sky like fishermen trying to reel in the sun, but even that isn't enough. The caves are amazing and they're everywhere. There is always coal and iron within visual distance, even when underground.

There are many levels with patches of epic mountains, but no seed has allowed itself to be consumed by mountains in quite the way that this one has. I tried to find as much as I could, but it would be hubris of the highest magnitude to say that I came close to finding even half of what this seed has to offer.

And I've been working on it for three days!

I'm not sure I'll ever know what a perfect 10.0 in mountains looks like, but I'm sure that this is the closest I've come to seeing it.

Map

Even though almost half of this map is arctic and frozen, even the cold parts are a blast. This is just one big hunk of mountains. Good luck making your way around, this map took me almost two hours to make. The southwest corner is a miniature suicide level... if you feel so inclined.

SEED MAP PIXEL COUNTS Classification: Tundra water 23.0% forest 5.6% plains 20.3% sand 3.2% ice/snow 42.8% * margin of error +/- 1.0%

Land Bridges

• [-241.68.56] huge shadowy land bridge with coal
• [-269.79.116] mega coal in small land bridge
• [-33.73.-238] small land bridge with medium overhang
• [4.73.-192] medium land bridge with medium spire
• [394.70.-105] small land bridge with mushrooms

Underground

• [-120.72.359] black hole dead drop small cave, Y=55
• [-7.70.-95] deep cave, Y=12, gold, lava and a large floater
• [16.19.-75] diamonds
• [223.60.-204] deep pitfall cave, Y=12
• [247.12.-196] obsidian, coal, iron, redstone
• [233.14.-265] mega gold deposit, coal, lapis lazuli, lava fall and waterfall

Items of Interest

• [2.66.308] gravel pit
• [-25.66.359] sugar
• [-111.79.373] pitfall hidi-hole
• [-160.82.383] small coal cave
• [-135.72.343] medium valley with two tall waterfalls and one small waterfall
• [-200.111.332] tallest point
• [-247.76.242] deep dead drop cave complex
• [-222.98.259] dead drop crater, two medium floaters
• [-175.81.208] large hidi-hole
• [-114.81.166] large hidi-hole with coal
• [-129.85.116] tall cascading waterfall with coal
• [-70.68.48] pitfall
• [-35.84.26] small overhang and pumpkins
• [-38.98.-6] massive sinkhole
• [-31.69.-72] large spire with cave in it, sugar
• [-29.70.-88] large open air cave complex
• [18.69.-101] shortcut cave
• [-390.65.-359] medium sandbar
• [-207.66.-275] small alluvial gravel
• [-37.105.-216] pitfall and hidi-hole
• [-27.100.-209] monster sinkhole
• [45.73.-262] pumpkins
• [-81.65.-392] pitfall cliff
• [8.65.-355] pre-made obsidian pit (crack ice to turn on generator)
• [77.72.-375] small cave
• [173.75.-376] an arch
• [289.84.-287] small crater
• [296.71.-166] lava pit
• [324.79.-174] large erosion with coal
• [168.71.326] pumpkins
• [205.85.-80] medium ravine and medium floater
• [175.71.-124] large overhang

Images

First up, nothing describes this level better than the photograph at the top. It's a gigantic mountain, a deep cave, and some flatland to add some sight lines. If it wasn't for these flatlands, this would have been a 10.0 in mountains.

Beneath that, a view under a land bridge showing two of the three waterfalls that can be found in this epic valley. The sides are sheer cliffs, but the floor is rolling hills of green. It's a great place to plop down a fort.

At right, three photographs. Starting from top, this arch sits all alone in the middle of a boring, frozen island in the southeast of the map. Below that, this pit is absolutely shrouded in darkness but just narrow enough that it doesn't spawn any baddies. Beautiful nonetheless. Finally, this is a shot of a monstrous sinkhole that I found. It doesn't look as impressive from the other side due to the snow, but it's immense and full of possibilities.

Legendary Seed: itsybitsyspider

Special Achievements

• Perfection! This seed has achieved one or more perfect scores.
• Legendary Seed! This seed has scored an astonishing 55+ out of 70 in the overall score.
• Golden! This seed has scored higher than 50 out of 70 in the overall score.
• Premium! This seed has scored higher than 40 out of 70 in the overall score.
• Rolling! Higher than 8 out of 10 in hills and mountains.
• Abyssal! Higher than 8 out of 10 in deep water.
• Anseled! Higher than 8 out of 10 in awesome features.

Rating

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• ++ Advanced ++
• Expert
• Suicidal Expert

Spawn and Version

Spawn: 93.75.-79
Version: XBL 1.1.1 (equiv Beta 1.7.3)

Seed Score MH 8.1 DW 9.5 C 5.7 W 7.5 SP 7.2 VR 7.8 AF 10.0     55.8

My Review

This is a fantastic level that I recommend everyone should see. Two things about this level that should sell you immediately. First, my spawn point had coal, iron, a hidi-hole, an underwater cave, and clay. Second, this seed has the most "Items of Interest" (see below) of any seed I've posted so far. Now that you're sold... let's begin.

This is an archipelago with many spider-web islands, inlets, lakes, and a cove or two. If this seed had more land, it would be one of the greatest of all time. As it is, it leaves you jonesing for more at every turn. As amazing as the mountains are above water, the valleys and seabed deep underwater are equally fascinating. There are islands that are literally afloat and if you dig anywhere, they collapse into the murky depths.

The west is mostly desert, but still interesting. However, if you spawn in the center of the map, you will be immediately drawn to the west -- which is where some of the most awesome formations can be found. Chief among them, "The Web" (see below) and it's network of twisted overhangs, land bridges, and caves. There are large spires everywhere (including a nice one in the northwest corner away from all the action) and there are several medium- and large-sized floaters fit for sky huts.

As far as resources are concerned, this is a clay level for sure. Many, many deep deposits scattered around the world will get you the brick house of your dreams (not that brick house of your dreams). I found one of everything in each corner, so you won't have to travel far to find what you need. I even found a pink sheep! Falling sand (for those who like that sort of thing... and I do) can be found on the desert islands in the west. Normally, something with this many shadows would be classified as an "Expert" seed, however most of the shadows fall over water so you should be pretty safe. Very little land but what little land it has is awesome. A legendary seed if I've ever seen one.

Can't Miss

So, the west side of the map is certainly the place to be with some truly amazing mountains. However, the gnarled and twisted formations I'll henceforth refer to as "The Web" are something you have to check out. You can find it at -369.72.73, but be sure to look around because it covers a pretty hefty chunk of the west side of the map. There are overhangs and land bridges running every which way and an absolute cacophony of awesome formations that are difficult to climb but awesome to look at. When you add in the caves underneath, it's a Minecraft wonderland.

Video: This Old Seed, Ep6

This seed appears in episode six of my important Xbox Minecraft seed tourism series, "This Old Seed". In this video, I give you a tour of "The Web", show you a pretty nifty overhang, and go to the ends of the map to get high.

Cliff Diving

• [108.75.-59] medium overhang over water and floaters; also a medium cliff diving event
• [-85.74.-391] cliff diving off medium overhang into water
• [159.81.264] medium cliff diving event and three small floaters
• [-78.65.-76] large overhang and tall cliff dive
• [36.97.-60] large floater and tall cliff diving event
• [-188.114.-127] epic cliff dive event: make sure you hit that hole
• [-283.82.-39] medium cliff diving event
• [-251.82.-55] medium cliff diving event

Items of Interest

• [131.64.-56] hidden cave under water
• [93.67.-99] small hidi-hole with iron
• [92.65.-117] sugar
• [23.69.-140] pumpkins
• [-22.65.-156] crazy sand and red flower patch
• [-7.65.-188] sugar
• [-65.66.-249] small gravel
• [-196.67.-146] epic, gnarly spire with two medium waterfalls
• [-226.69.-150] pumpkins
• [-394.79.-395] tall spire in northwest corner
• [-280.65.-360] small flat island, sugar
• [-202.75.-357] medium exposed stone
• [-135.66.-355] medium clay with nearby iron
• [-106.69.-392] shortcut cave with coal
• [-74.65.-380] sinkable island with large clay
• [96.65.-304] x2 sugar and crazy water hidi-hole
• [121.65.-307] small cave + medium floater
• [166.67.-232] shortcut cave
• [196.76.-256] lots of pumpkins
• [187.56.-327] deep cave with three waterfalls and a lava fall and lots of coal
• [237.69.-294] really nice cove
• [288.68.-302] suspicious pit
• [289.66.-211] small lonely cacti on a sandbar guarding large clay
• [356.65.-173] large clay, small falling sand
• [374.68.-39] hidden cave
• [361.65.32] large clay
• [242.73.367] dead drop through mountain
• [207.73.308] medium falling sand
• [161.65.254] monster clay under small overhang in water
• [206.66.211] large falling sand
• [225.66.110] hidden deep pitfall cave
• [87.65.182] medium clay
• [113.65.260] medium overhang over water
• [99.67.334] medium floater
• [-116.76.327] wolves
• [-145.75.321] pitfall through mountain
• [-111.84.284] medium cave complex
• [-4.64.66] dig down for medium cave with waterfall and lava fall
• [39.66.-69] large clay, a small overhang, and a deep lake
• [-7.68.-44] two small overhangs and a small floater
• [-41.75.-47] tall waterfall and an awesome ravine
• [-59.71.-81] small land bridge
• [-130.75.260] small cave behind pond
• [-257.65.349] hidi-hole
• [-381.71.291] deep shadow, watch for skeletons
• [-380.72.339] large floater
• [-295.90.236] medium cave with coal
• [-256.69.215] medium hidi-hole
• [-323.103.231] tree valley
• [-296.105.171] the small cave on this snow-capped peak must lead to something
• [-347.82.162] river pouring out of shortcut cave and nearby small cave
• [-369.72.73] Can't Miss: "The Web"
• [-353.73.52] hidi-hole
• [-328.70.-40] small waterfall
• [-377.68.-85] one lonely pumpkin
• [-298.66.-104] medium clay
• [-181.70.-68] amazing shadowy land bridge
• [-160.66.-72] small cave
• [-224.72.-145] pumpkins
• [-202.91.-128] massive spire with waterfall pouring out of it
• [-199.119.-103] two tall spires, tallest point not-in-a-tree on map

Images

As you can imagine, with any legendary seed it's difficult to narrow down the choices. For each of these shots, there are another two that didn't make the cut. However, I will say that it was also difficult to get shots in the first place because there are so many trees in these crevasses that it's a constant struggle to get a vista.

Anyway, up top with the map you'll find an "eye" formation in "The Web". This formation had two oddly accurate skeletons living in it, so I had to switch to no-enemies in order to get the shot. Below it, another view of "The Web": this time from the top of the formation looking down at a natural hill/cave combo that kind of reminds me of a spiral staircase.

As for the three images at right (from top to bottom), the first is a large spire with a waterfall pouring out of the middle of it. This double waterfall cleared out grass and trees at it went along depositing them in it's delta for me to pick up later. Lucky for me, this second shot was possible because the shadow of this overhang lands in the water. Finally, the trees worked in my favor for this shot. Is it a floating medium spire or a large ground spire? I'll let you find that one out for yourself.

Legendary Seed: ax+by=c

Special Achievements

• Legendary Seed! This seed has scored an astonishing 55+ out of 70 in the overall score.
• Golden! This seed has scored higher than 50 out of 70 in the overall score.
• Premium! This seed has scored higher than 40 out of 70 in the overall score.
• Abyssal! Higher than 8 out of 10 in deep water.
• Spelunked! Higher than 8 out of 10 in caves.
• Anseled! Higher than 8 out of 10 in awesome features.

Rating

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• ++ Advanced ++
• Expert
• Suicidal Expert

Spawn and Version

Spawn: 18.67.-76
Version: XBL 1.1.1 (equiv Beta 1.7.3)

Seed Score MH 7.3 DW 8.3 C 8.9 W 7.1 SP 6.2 VR 7.9 AF 9.6     55.3

Etymology

This equation isn't an equation at all; it's known as the standard form of algebra and it governs the proper way to write an equation. It's sort of like an element of grammar, but for math. Regardless of it's purpose, it's simple, easy to remember, and makes for a great Minecraft seed.

My Review

This level was really amazing. There are things to see in almost every quadrant of the map. I started off hearing a large number of zombie sounds coming from hidden underground tunnels. Then I found my first couple of land bridges. Then some overhangs. Then everything got bigger. Then things were riddled with coal and iron. By the time I realized what I had on my hands, land bridges were spanning mountain valleys and hiding epic caves in their shadows. There are scenic cliff-side hidi-holes that will keep you safe at night, but during the day you are just as screwed because there is shade everywhere. The trees grow in clumps and the formations pump out day-walkers in alarming numbers.

It took me an hour just to complete the map -- an unheard of amount of time that should show you how hard it is to move around. Then I played underground for another three hours, falling from one cave system into another until I reached bedrock. I had diamonds (which I turned into a pickaxe) within my first hour and enough obsidian for a portal at the 150 minute mark.

To try to give you some understanding of how rare some of these things are, I'm now approaching my 200th review and have played another 50 seeds that didn't make the cut and the series waterfall (falling water that falls again further down the stream) at -183.77.266 is only the third I've ever seen. It's not amazing to look at per se, but it is rare. And some of these formations are just incredible. I strongly recommend this seed for anyone looking for a serious challenge.

The Nether

The Nether for this level is absolutely infuriating. It's a labyrinthine nightmare full of side passages that don't go anywhere and tunnels that snake up and down so you have no idea what level you're on. When you finally do break through to the top (and for the love of James Lipton, throw down some torches), what you will find is that you're basically pressed up against the ceiling -- as evidenced by the easily available glowstone that's right in your face.

Beyond this antechamber is a more traditional Nether world, but it's very small and very cramped. There's not much to see and the lava is way down below and a pain to get to. Getting back to your portal takes forever even when you leave breadcrumbs.

Caves

• [-235.77.131] deep pitfall cave
• [-118.77.-80] shortcut cave and coal
• [-86.84.197] hidden cave inside hidi-hole, large coal
• [-41.67.-105] zombie cave with iron
• [208.73.-34] small coal cave
• [227.66.-298] shortcut cave, large coal
• [251.73.-50] small iron cave, small overhang
• [298.72.44] medium cave
• [329.67.351] hidden cave with stalagmites and large iron
• [371.63.-306] small cave with stalagmites and coal

Overhangs

• [235.71.-166] medium overhang, large sugar
• [234.67.42] large overhang
• [223.71.-348] two medium overhangs, small coal
• [186.71.-13] large overhang, large coal in side of cliff
• [-9.70.145] large overhang
• [-114.80.210] large overhang
• [-133.79.156] narrow small overhang
• [-324.73.94] small overhang

Land Bridges

• [-253.72.-62] medium land bridge
• [-164.72.-39] long medium land bridge
• [-142.71.288] large land bridge, overhang, and hidi-hole
• [-111.66.196] amazing massive land bridge
• [79.73.198] large land bridge
• [180.77.43] large land bridge
• [342.71.352] small land bridge and small crevasse

Under the Epic Land Bridge

• [86.69.28] epic land bridge with two overhangs hiding a large cave complex with mega coal and mega iron deposits in its shadow
• [54.67.34] zombie spawn; if you dig under south moss stone you'll find large coal; chests include four buckets and some cocoa beans
• [24.30.51] gold vein
• [29.17.34] gold vein and dig down for obsidian generator
• [26.21.61] gold vein and medium coal
• [32.13.15] diamond cave
• [30.44.17] pitfall cave

Other Items of Interest

• [2.77.-107] two spires, one small, one medium
• [-19.64.-126] zombie sounds
• [-196.73.-66] mushrooms
• [-208.73.-15] pumpkins
• [-349.76.-182] medium cave
• [-235.65.-328] medium sugar
• [-166.65.-334] small cliff diving event
• [355.69.-322] beware: dead drop
• [338.73.-230] small hidi-hole
• [253.76.-24] large hidi-hole
• [346.84.-58] medium cave complex with large coal
• [342.81.3] gorge
• [195.84.23] cliff-side hidi-hole
• [272.92.0] cliff-side hidi-hole
• [-40.67.299] small hidi-hole
• [-168.73.284] pitfall
• [-183.77.266] rare, tall series waterfall empties into pond
• [-339.67.356] exposed stone with iron
• [-399.64.336] large coal, medium iron, and a small cave
• [-182.80.162] medium cave complex with coal
• [-75.76.208] medium lake

Images

As with all legendary seeds, the one thing you can't do is settle on just two photographs. Starting at the top, we're leading off with our star -- the massive land bridge that spans the hills at 86.69.28. This and it's companion cave are the final pieces that catapulted this level to stardom. The image right below that is a large overhang -- one of many overhangs found on this level.

There are two shots of the Nether in that section. First is one of the few views that I was able to find to demonstrate the size of the primary chamber. As you can see, it's small compared to the average Nether. The second Nether image was taken right as I emerged from the underground labyrinth where my portal deployed. You can see how close to the ceiling I am and you can literally walk up and take the glowstone like picking apples off a tree. This is the only benefit of this Nether.

The final three images are a shot of a medium curved land bridge, a seriously shaded overhang that leaks gravel from the ceiling and births a creeper or two, and finally a pair of complimentary overhangs that almost bridge the gap between these two desert islands. If you take the time to connect them, you can cut the time it takes to travel from one to the other in half.

Legendary Seed: opensource

Special Achievements

• Perfection! This seed has achieved one or more perfect scores.
• Legendary Seed! This map has scored an astonishing 55+ out of 70 in the overall score.
• Golden! This map has scored higher than 50 out of 70 in the overall score.
• Premium! This map has scored higher than 40 out of 70 in the overall score.
• Rolling! Higher than 8 out of 10 in hills and mountains.
• Abyssal! Higher than 8 out of 10 in deep water.
• Spelunked! Higher than 8 out of 10 in caves.
• Anseled! Higher than 8 out of 10 in awesome features.

Legendary Status

This seed has, in my opinion, generated such interesting features and provides such entertaining potential that it deserves recognition as a seed in the top 1% of all those I've reviewed.

Rating

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced
• ++ Expert ++
• Suicidal Expert

Spawn Coordinates

55.65.189

Seed Score MH 8.9 DW 8.2 C 8.4 W 7.2 SP 5.8 VR 7.7 AF 10.0     56.2

My Review

I could not finish this seed fast enough. The second I saw this thing, I knew I had discovered something awesome. You could, theoretically walk through about 40% of this board and be like, "What? This thing is crap. It's all flat and boring." Keep walking! When you get to the southwest quadrant, that's when all hell is going to break loose. Craters, creepers, overhangs, multiple land bridges conjoining, pitfalls, and some things you've got to see to believe. If you're a beginner, load it up just to see it, but don't expect to survive. Experts: good luck. I was this close (you can't see it, but I'm indicating with narrow fingers) to rating this one suicidal. This board has so many landmarks that I couldn't write them all down on a single piece of paper and, indeed, if I've missed any, please add them in the comments below along with the coordinates.

How difficult is this level, you may be asking? Well I'll tell you. I played this thing first on creative wussy mode -- AND DIED when I took a header off the top of a mountain and fell from 128 to 64. Alright. Then I played it on normal and had my ass handed to me as, apparently, I may be a beginner. This board is epic.

Can't Miss

I could choose any number of things that this board has that you'd have to see. However, one in particular was stunning. It wasn't the perfectly formed crater and it wasn't the mountain above the cloud line and it wasn't any of the floaters -- of which there are MANY! No. At 243.72.15, I found what I will refer to as the "Black Waterfall" -- a waterfall contained within a shortcut cave that is so narrow and dark that no light illuminates the water. It is without question unique, beautiful, and guarded by creepers in the dozens if you play anything other than creative. It is a must-see attraction.

Items of Interest

Warning: the following list contains spoiler locations for the major landmarks and items available in this seed. If you prefer to discover these things on your own, skip ahead to the bottom paragraph.

• [-396.67.78] coal
• [-356.82.216] quintuple waterfall
• [-359.65.313] gravel and floater
• [-400.68.298] lava fall and land bridge
• [-408.67.337] small clay deposit
• [-391.70.373] overhang
• [-396.83.337] hidi-hole and coal
• [-268.72.372] red flower patch
• [-259.65.320] red flower patch #2
• [-205.65.355] sugar
• [-25.65.346] sugar
• [211.76.349] waterfall and small cave
• [210.77.334] hidi-hole with hidden cave
• [217.78.332] large waterfall bursting out of cliff
• [205.69.312] waterfall
• [197.77.300] great shortcut cave behind waterfall
• [204.79.257] shortcut cave
• [251.81.298] land bridge
• [234.74.308] waterfall
• [254.65.332] wolves
• [396.74.272] small cliff diving experience
• [344.83.237] land bridge
• [380.71.172] epic coal cave
• [393.66.151] mushrooms and coal
• [381.67.115] complex of deep holes; watch where you walk
• [303.69.128] floater
• [322.69.102] flooded cave
• [321.70.64] medium cave, hidi-hole, coal, and hidden cave with underground waterfall
• [367.88.1] stone mountainside
• [393.85.12] overhang
• [339.83.-26] waterfall
• [287.72.-47] waterfall and coal
• [243.72.15] the black waterfall
• [238.66.50] massive land bridge
• [228.67.57] twin waterfalls
• [205.67.60] floater
• [196.72.94] land bridge
• [208.75.110] crazy flattop overhang; do not dig, only one block deep
• [230.65.109] iron deposit
• [239.65.87] waterfall and overhang
• [291.81.72] crevasse, hidi-hole
• [298.84.72] a perfectly formed crater, gorgeous
• [309.85.4] massive floater
• [344.92.-79] lava pit
• [336.72.-106] large land bridge
• [328.95.-157] massive ravine
• [253.124.-186] tall mountain above clouds; do not fall off this mountain!!!
• [55.65.189] clay
• [45.65.225] hidi-hole, coal, and cave
• [57.65.310] clay
• [-21.65.346] sugar
• [-122.65.284] medium cave
• [-369.65.312] gravel
• [-349.65.255] the Twin Towers: two waterfalls
• [-363.75.-143] cliff diving
• [-384.66.-179] shortcut cave and gravel
• [-170.65.-44] sugar
• [-59.64.24] medium cave
• [-25.63.-25] coal
• [62.65.-376] deep hole
• [304.71.-379] one lonely pumpkin: very sad
• [111.65.361] pumpkin patch

This is not even close to a complete list, by the way. There were cliff-side caves I couldn't get to and floaters I could barely see and couldn't get the coordinates for. The northwest quadrant has a desert of all things and there is a large amount of flat land for those who like to build large castles. There is truly something for everyone on this board.

Images

There was no way I was doing this review with only two photos. You'll have to bear with me as I try to cover all of these shots.

So, working from top to bottom, this is a general shot of the southwest quadrant that shows two waterfalls converging and then running to the ocean. You can also see an overhang on the right covered in trees that houses some creepers.

Next is two massive floaters hovering above an already elevated hilltop. Deep in the background of this particular shot, you can see the tallest of the mountains.

Third is the double waterfall shot. There are no less than twenty waterfalls in this seed. The final large shot is a thick land bridge adjacent to a lava pit (left). Many skeletons live under here.

The final three shots are the smaller ones to the right. The first shows a variety of formations you're going to find here, including a heavy overhang that casts a deep shadow. Next is a waterfall that was near my spawn, unique in that there's a cave behind it. Finally, the last shot is a conflagration of several land bridges that leaves this massive area in perpetual nighttime.