As a social media platform, TikTok is home to some fascinating trends. Whenever a news story goes viral on the site, you can expect users to have some interesting takes. Right now, this phenomenon is on full display as TikTok users try to deduce why white dust is falling from the sky.
What is the mysterious white dust?
On Feb. 23, people living in Maryland and West Virginia reported that specks of mysterious white dust were falling from the sky, covering their cars and streets.
Talking to The Hill, Sherry Miller, a local resident, said:
“We had no idea what it was. It looked like ash. I asked my husband if it was from the wood stove and he said, ‘No, it’s all over Berkeley County.’
Quickly, the local government jumped into action with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP), collecting dust samples to test. While Berkeley County Office of Emergency Management made it clear that they had received no reports of ill health linked to the mysterious dust.
Within a few days, the WVDEP gave a surprisingly mundane answer, saying that the dust was “pollen, with trace amounts of mineral matter.”
What did TikTok think it was?
Of course, TikTok quickly became packed with videos of the strange dust, and the comment sections soon filled up with discussion. Many users threw out their own theories about its origins and true purpose.
Several comments argued that the dust may have come from a dust storm. This theory echoes a statement made by DC News Now Meteorologist Damon Matson. When asked about the dust he said:
“This is likely dust from the desert southwest, a very strong storm system causing all the wintry weather across the northern U.S. and severe weather in the southern U.S. It picked up the dust on the back side of the storm and dragged it across the country. The dust remained elevated in the atmosphere as the storm remained strong.”
Another theory suggested that it was ashes from a local wildfire, with one comment noting, “That looks like ashes from a huge fire…might have blown their way…I know wildfires bring ashes from afar.”
Other users argued it was, “The white stuff that they put out big fires,” with many wondering if it might have been used on the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and blown across.
Of course, many users decided to revive a classic conspiracy theory and alleged that the dust was dropped by planes. One user posted that: “I live in ohio we have been having lots of jets leaving chem trails!! we have pics.” While another said:
“My friend in Maryland saw a small plane dropping white dust this morning. Something weird’s going on.”
Some believed the dust storm was the latest and greatest marketing stunt ever, arguing that the team behind Cocaine Bear was dropping white powder to get people interested in the film. One comment summed this up by saying:
“That one movie really want to advertise it.”
However, the most common reply suggested that the dust was snow, and the locals were unfamiliar with the wintery concept. One user succinctly and hilariously posted:
“Bro just discovered snow.”