Bermuda Triangle Research Paper Essay

Lying behind a shroud of mystery deep in its misty waters lies a secret yet to be discovered, a secret harboring lost planes and artifacts from history’s darkest disappearances. This unexplored â€Å"Devil’s Sea† is more commonly known to many as the illusive Bermuda Triangle. This very interesting area has gone unexplored for centuries, even with the mysterious absences of air and sea vessels attributed to this very spot. Although unexplored, it is not left well alone in the minds of many, rather, it has been observed through technology such as satellites and radar; as well as mechanical ships controlled from land. It has also peaked the interest of those more interested in giving the Triangle a more, â€Å"dark† personality. These many observers have attributed the events and tragic catastrophes of the Bermuda to the occult, any other-worldly object, person, or thing that could in theory cause these strange occurrences. More over, the government and scientists more than often attribute the mystery of this unknown terrain to be, not a mystery, but a natural geographic phenomenon. A disaster due to possible magnetic disturbance, or natural weather happenings, etc. Believe what theorists will about the Bermuda Triangle, but to really understand any logic behind the science of the Bermuda, we must go back to the very first act of this mysterious region, to the beginning of a legend’s birth. The region described as the Bermuda Triangle was set in the location of an invisible ‘triangle’;which is connected at Miami, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and the Bermuda. Its official title as the ‘Bermuda’ Triangle was decided because it had been at first thought that the disappearances that occurred were restricted to the area of that around just the Bermuda. The Bermuda Triangle received its name as the result of the disappearance of six Navy planes and their crew on December 5, 1945 (Berlitz 21). This flight is commonly known to the public as Flight 19. This specific group of planes left Fort Lauderdale that morning with no difficulties, that is, until they flew over what is now the Bermuda Triangle. They reported being lost and disoriented, and could not determine exactly where they were. The flight leader, Lieutenant Charles Taylor even stated when asked to assume bearing west, â€Å"We don’t know which way is west. Everything is wrong†¦ Strange†¦ We can’t be sure of any direction-even the ocean doesn’t look as it should†¦ â€Å". It had eventually become to difficult to hear messages from Flight 19 due to static. Shortly after receiving their last message from Flight 19, the search units received a message stating that six planes (the five Navy planes and the rescue plane) were missing (Berlitz 24). This caused many to give an official name to said region, as though society was putting up a wall as some sort of recognition and respect to the Bermuda Triangle’s strange,yet very real,danger. This very disappearance also sparked curiosity about the Triangle in the minds of both scientists and theorists. These theorists and common people began to create their own explanations for these strange disappearances. Explanations that ranged from worm holes to aliens, depending on the person. More than often did these theories possess to a relation with the occult, often referring to alien intelligence or paranormal phenomena. The truth behind these ‘theories’ ranges from believable to unbelievable just as easy as one may guess. What may help to understand these strange and various ideas, would be to begin with one of the most popular; human error. Otherwise known as pilot disorientation, it is less of a theory and more of a common idea. Based upon thinking that the pilots in the Bermuda Triangle would often get lost due to turbulent weather patterns, popular tourist traffic, swift currents and an indeterminable landscape. Theorists say that these factorial characteristics could make it easy to lose one’s way, and that once you’re a little bit off, it is only a few more turns until you are lost. This would mean being rendered unable to fuel up or avoid rough weather in the case of emergency (Science Channel 1) This could be a logical explanation , it is true that human misconception can be at fault for many of the mistakes of mankind. Although some theorists have it well endowed in their brains that mother nature itself is the main culprit at fault. This next theory is created due to the disastrous weather patterns found in the tropical region of the Bermuda Triangle. Prone to intense and sever torms, and the fact it is literally right in the middle of hurricane valley, gives many theorists enough to infer that this region is nothing more than a dangerous sea. Not only that, but along with the swift-moving Gulf Stream that cuts into the triangle, this becomes a very unnavigable terrain for above land vessels. Add to that the underwater geography of the deep and rugged Puerto Rico trench (the deepest point in the Atlantic Ocean) and this area becomes a literal death zone (Science Channel 1). Also based on a naturally occurring phenomenon, is the theory of unstable magnetic fields. Often attributed to the well-known myths about askew compasses and the legend that the Bermuda is one of the only two places on the planet that points true north. This is true,but only to some sense. There was only one time, during the 19th century, that the Bermuda was a place where a compass could point true north without having to calibrate or calculate the variation in Earth’s natural magnetic field. Although, because the Earth’s magnetic fields are always changing, so does the variations accounted for by compasses. In modern day, the Bermuda Triangle does not sit in any form of abnormal magnetic area, and pilots and sailors know now to adjust compasses to magnetic and true north (Science Channel 1-2). Even as far-fetched as magnetic field abnormalities may seem to some scientists, it is no where near the as illogical as the next theory will appear. The first of are more supernatural theories, is none other than the fabled, lost civilization of Atlantis. For those who believe in the legendary aquatic city of Atlantis, there could raise an argument. Theorists say that remnants of intense energy crystals once used to fuel the city were now residing in the Bermuda Triangle interfering with airplane and ships electronics. This proof is based off of a mirrored pyramid like structure said to be founded by a scuba diving Atlantis proponent in 1970. Although, there is no proof of this find. Others base this off of the Bimini road; a strange rock formation composed of uniform, seemingly sculpted towers of rock just of the coast of the Bahamian island of Bimini. Most geologists say it’s a work of natural forces, whereas Atlantis proponents state it was once a dock (Science Channel 2). Considering the subject of foreign civilizations, comes the next theory on the list. Here begins the start of the more â€Å"occult-based† theorems existing in society, is the ever-famous UFO/alien theory. The most common association with extra terrestrial forces is the acclamation that a downed space ship, or dangerous alien mechanics of some sort, is residing in or below the region of the Bermuda Triangle. The same theory is often attributed with a similar triangular-like region of the coast of Japan in the Pacific Ocean. This particular myth states that human ships and planes get caught in the portal at the wrong time, ultimately ending up trapped in between dimensions (Science Channel 2). Up next is yet another theory associated with extra terrestrial intelligence. Contrary to the idea of actual alien population in the Bermuda Triangle, is the theory of government testing. Rather than the rumored ‘Area 51†², this theory points us to a base that is known as AUTEC (for Atlantic undersea test and evaluation center) It is located on the Bahamas’ Andros Island, right in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle. It is used to test navy subs, weapons, and sonar. Although this theory claims that it isn’t all they test. Theorists insist that the government is working with alien or extra terrestrial intelligence and that the AUTEC is actually reverse-engineering alien technology (Science Channel 3). Although the government has its own input on the Bermuda Triangle, so none of this is directly proven. As well as the fact that there are currently no US Government-issued maps that delineate the boundaries of the Bermuda Triangle (Rosenberg 1) (Navy 2). This is surprisingly the only well-known government based theory on the Bermuda Triangle. Of course,this is a quite accusative view of the government; but it is at least based off of more than one person’s idea rather then the next theory on the list. One of the more popular theories associated with the Bermuda Triangle, but not the most common, is the time vortex or ‘electronic fog’ theory. This theory came into existence from a single incident. In 1970, Floridian pilot Bruce Gernon and his father were a route from Andros Island to Bimini Island in the Bahamas when they came across a strange cloud that they say grew xponentially before morphing into a tunnel. He apparently flew into the vortex, and as Gernon claims, â€Å"emerge in a thick electronic fog with a white haze surrounding the plane†. Apparently his compass spun wildly and electrical sparks surrounded him. He said once the fog parted he found himself miles from where he was, and because he was farther away from his original location than he could have ever possibly traveled in that time; he concluded himself he must have traveled through a time travel tunnel (Science Channel 3). This theory, although based on one man, is still more commonly known to the public than the next two, even though they consist of more logic than many other theories. This theory is one more based of a chemistry based outtake, and is more likely to explain the nautical disappearances rather than the aircraft phenomena. The non-circulated theory of methane hydrates. Beneath the deep under the surface, lie pockets of trapped methane gas. Ready to be released by seismic activity or underwater landslides. This gas reaching surface is said to reduce the density of water. Any ship in that area of water would supposedly lose buoyancy a sink. In another theory,if enough of the flammable gas reached surface and went high into the air, it could be ignited by an engine’s spark. Although, the Bermuda Triangle is far from the one area methane hydrates exist-it isn’t even an area of high concentration. It is possible these could pose a threat though, but whether the explosion from these hydrates is powerful enough to sink a vessel is unknown (Science Channel 3-4). This is not a very famous theory, although it is still more well-known than the next theory, even though it is not as well-supported or as logical. This theory includes some of the sea-faring villains we have heard about in history books; pirates. Although one of the most childish of theories,it has been a consistent problem near the triangle region for hundreds of years. This theory is based on the fact that because of the circulation of other myths, a ship or vessel committing piracy could get away with a simple â€Å"it wasn’t me blame it on the ghosts/aliens/storms/and etc. † While this theory wouldn’t cover aircraft disappearances, it could explain some of the missing ships in the area (Science Channel 4). Even though there isn’t much, if any, proof of this last theory; it still holds its place as well-proven compared to the next theory. The most far-fetched (and least popular) of our theories is that of an 11,000-year-old comet. According to these theorists, a comet that may or may not have crashed to earth 11,000 years ago could have landed on the ocean floor right beneath the Bermuda Triangle. Theorists speculate that this specific comet could have abnormal electromagnetic properties that interrupt with navigational tools and engines of aircrafts and ships. This comet has not been found, or at least not yet. Due to the possibility of trenches that can be tens of thousands of feet deep, proof may never be found of the existence or falsehood of such a comet (Science Channel 4). Any theories besides these last few are not very well-known, but we can be sure there are plenty more. The Bermuda Triangle is yet another mystery still waiting to be solved, even with its own vast collection of rumors. The Bermuda Triangle is a region full of mystery, and one of the world’s greatest fabled myths. Beginning as a simple assumption, and growing into a legend of high stature; this region is famous whether real or rumor. The mystery of the Bermuda is in itself a unique feat, and exploring its origins is just one step above. Although we can not prove the authenticity of any of these theories, the very thought can send one towards a realm of their own creation; pondering over what may or may not be. A devil of the sea, a curse to the air, and a marvel to the land; the Bermuda Triangle is just one mysterious legend that may never quite be conquered.