The conditions in parts of the region are so harsh that scientists rarely visit them, instead using satellite data to complete their work.

The series explained: “Analysis of the image measures the concentric ovals at 400-feet-wide.

He said: “It’s the kind of thing that if you see it anywhere in the world, you immediately say ’that is definitely manmade’.

Professor of physical geographer Jonathan Bamber explained why scientists rarely visit this area, before putting forward his initial theory on the markings.

He said: “It’s the coldest, driest, windiest place on Earth.

He said: “They are sharp wave-like ridges in the snow surface that run parallel to the direction of the wind.

“They can form highly unusual shapes, but rarely what is visible in the image.

He added in 2017: “I would say the dark patches are surface melt that tends to pond and form what are called supraglacial lakes