The Bermuda Triangle – Heinous or Hoax?

The Bermuda Triangle remains a subject of much lore, mythology, and paranormal innuendo since as early as Christopher Columbus' historic voyage. Are the stories told about this stretch of the Ocean, located roughly in the center of the Atlantic waters closest to Miami, Puerto Rico, and Bermuda, valid? The repeated ship and airplane accidents and disappearances have piqued the interests of everyone from conspiracy theorists to scientists, but what is true and what is fiction in this so-called Devil's Triangle?

To begin our discovery, let us examine a timeline of the disasters that have occurred in this region. Included are:

• September 17, 1950 - Unusual disappearances reported in The Miami Herald by Edward Van Winkle Jones
• 1952 - George X. Sand reports in Fate magazine of the loss of several planes and ships, including a US Navy Grumman TBM Avenger.
• 1962 - Another article about the Avenger crash was written by Allan W. Eckert and quoted the flight leader as saying, "We are entering white water, nothing seems right. We don't know where we are, the water is green, no white."
• 1964 - Vincent Gaddis write an article entitled "The Deadly Bermuda Triangle" suggesting the area was the scene of "strange events."
• 1965 - Gaddis turns his article into a book, Invisible Horizons.
• 1969 - John Wallace Spencer builds on Gaddis' theory and writes Limbo of the Lost.
• 1974 - Charles Berlitz does the same in The Bermuda Triangle, and Richard Winer writes The Devil's Triangle.

Many other books were written over the years, all portending that supernatural elements were involved in the disasters.

But, scientifically speaking, is the Bermuda Triangle "cursed?" Mindy Weisberger of LiveScience explains that Aviation Safety Network and US Coast Guard records have shown that many of the "vanishings" were due to storm activity in that area of the Atlantic. Others linked to dangerous conditions on the vessels. So far, according to Coast Guard experts, nothing has been discovered that would explain the aircraft and ship losses other than "physical causes."

It seems the common conditions that occur in the ocean and simple human error are the culprits in every case. Scientists add that this area of the Atlantic is no more dangerous than any other part of the high seas. And when you consider that water makes up 70% of our planet, it is not a surprise that accidents and disappearances continue.

Even though many amateur marine biologists remain curious about this part of the ocean and some enjoy coming up with explanations that border on the outrageous to explain the accidents there, scientists simply do not have the data to show that any evidence exists. But they do have the information to determine that nothing out of the ordinary is going on in the Devil's Triangle.

Area 51

Area 51 refers to a given U.S. military base, which supports the development and testing of experimental aircraft and weapons systems. Popularly, it is believed to be a hideout for Alien activity. Located at 83 miles north of Las Vegas. It is a 6x10 mile block of land situated on the southern shore of Groom Lake.

Since its inception citizens have claimed to view UFO sightings and heard strange, rumbling noises. The government denies the existence of Area 51. Rather, it emphasizes the area used to serve as a site for military bombings.

A little bit of history

During World War II the Groom Lake was used for bombing and artillery practice but was abandoned until April 1955, when Lockheed's Skunk Works team selected the location as an ideal testing grounds for the forthcoming U-2 spy plane.

What's in there

One runway of the base is closed, but it contains other seven runways. The final runway 14R/32L, with a total length of 7,100 m is the longest without any stop-way. The other tracks are two asphalt runways which have a length of 3,700 m and 1,600 m respectively. The other runways are four and are located on the salt lake.

Since the paranormal occurrences at this location, it has become the subject of curiosity. Many documents and articles have been written about the place. People in hope to turn the rumors true flock outside the complex hoping to capture some strange activity in their camera lens.

Mysteries

The USGS topographic map shows a long-disused Groom Mine, and the base doesn't appear on public U.S. government map. The area is restricted to both civilians and general military air traffic. Radar stations guard the area, and any illegal activity is instantly noticed and apprehended with stringent laws. Unauthorized personnel from the army are expelled if caught strolling in the restricted surroundings of Groom's airspace.

Conspiracy theories.

Area 51 has become the focus of UFO and conspiracy theories. These theories include:

• The storage, examination, and reverse engineering of crashed alien spacecraft with its occupants at Roswell.
• Manufacturing of aircraft based on alien technology.
• Joint undertakings with extraterrestrials.
• The development of exotic energy weapons for weather control.
• The development of time travel and teleportation technology.
• The development of unique propulsion systems related to the Aurora Program.
• Activities associated with the Majestic 12 organisation often referred as one world government.

These conspiracy theories have catapulted Area 51 as a famous, paranormal activity site in popular culture, specifically in the area of science fiction. Many films and television programs focus on capturing the fictitious theories marked by the government.