BERMUDA TRIANGLE: Beyond Belief Mysteries
For Tons of Kids Stories and Podcasts Download Free Chimes App Now
WHAT IS THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE?
The Bermuda Triangle, a notorious area in the vast ocean, once struck fear into the hearts of sailors and aviators. It became a realm where ships and planes ventured, never to return, vanishing into a shroud of perplexity and unease. This enigmatic triangular zone, bordered by Miami, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico, blurred the lines between reality and myth, defying the norms of navigation and science.
Legends of the Bermuda Triangle trace their origins back to the days of Christopher Columbus in 1492. His logbook contained accounts of bizarre occurrences – erratic stars, malfunctioning compasses, strange lights, and fiery bursts plunging into the sea. Subsequent sailors encountered the eerie Sargasso Sea, a windless expanse enveloped by seaweed and remnants of ill-fated ships.
Despite its fame, the Bermuda Triangle lacks official recognition by any international or scientific body. The term itself was coined by Vincent Gaddis in a 1964 article. It later became a recurring subject in books by authors like Charles Berlitz and Richard Winer, fueling speculation and urban legends.
Over five centuries, more than 50 ships and 20 planes have mysteriously vanished within the Bermuda Triangle, often leaving no trace of wreckage or bodies behind. While the allure of the Bermuda Triangle persists, skepticism and rational explanations continue to challenge its enigmatic reputation.
Continue reading about Bermuda Triangle below >>
FAMOUS CASES AND DISAPPEARANCES
One of the earliest cases that captured the world’s attention on this island was the disappearance of a training ship named HMS Eurydice that was lost near Bermuda in 1878.
Another ship HMS Atalanta, also disappeared in this area in 1880 along with its entire crew.
USS Cyclops was a ship that carried minerals and other materials for the US Navy, and when the ship left the island of Barbados on March 4, 1918, it met a tragic end. It went missing without any trace, along with its crew of 309 people and its precious cargo of rare minerals. This incident is the largest loss of life in the history of the US Navy that didn’t happen in combat.
Another incident that is attributed to the Bermuda triangle happened on December 5, 1945 with Flight 19. It was a training flight with five planes called TBM Avenger torpedo bombers. These planes were supposed to follow a certain path over the Atlantic Ocean. But the planes never came back to the base. The Navy investigated and found that the planes seemed to have gone off course because of a navigation mistake. Unfortunately, the planes were lost but a lot of people attribute their disappearance back to the Bermuda triangle.
During the search for the missing planes, a rescue aircraft called PBM Mariner with 13 people on board also disappeared. A ship nearby reported seeing an explosion and a big oil slick on the water, and they couldn’t find any survivors.
On December 28, 1948, an airplane with 32 people on board disappeared. Neither the aircraft nor any trace of it was ever found. An investigation by the Civil Aeronautics Board couldn’t determine what caused the disappearance due to a lack of enough information.
A pleasure yacht called Connemara Fourth was discovered adrift south of Bermuda on September 26, 1955. According to stories, the crew vanished while the yacht survived being at sea during three hurricanes.
Continue reading about Bermuda Triangle below >>
UNUSUAL PHENOMENA AND SPECULATIONS
Supernatural interpretations have emerged regarding the Bermuda Triangle. One theory suggests it’s a portal to another dimension, explaining mysterious disappearances. Bruce Gernon, an expert on the Triangle, claims to have experienced time travel within it. The lost city of Atlantis is another myth, with proponents believing it lies beneath the waves, influencing the area. Some associate the Atlantis theory with the Bimini Road. A more far-fetched idea involves aliens and UFOs as culprits for the vanishings. While these theories are captivating, they lack scientific support, in contrast to more plausible explanations like weather conditions, navigation issues, human error, and technical malfunctions.
Continue reading about Bermuda Triangle below >>
BREAKING THE MYTHS
The Bermuda Triangle has remained a perplexing enigma, capturing the imagination of many and prompting scientific inquiries to shed light on its mysteries. Several theories have emerged over the years, offering a range of natural and environmental explanations.
One commonly discussed element in Bermuda Triangle incidents is compass anomalies. Some attribute these anomalies to unusual magnetic field patterns in the area, although no concrete evidence supports this claim. It’s important to note that compasses naturally exhibit variations in relation to the Earth’s magnetic poles, a phenomenon well-known to seasoned sailors.
The Gulf Stream, a massive oceanic current, presents another factor to consider. Originating in the Gulf of Mexico and flowing through the Straits of Florida into the North Atlantic, the Gulf Stream exerts a powerful influence. In emergencies, such as when planes need to make water landings or boat engines fail, this strong current can carry them away from their intended positions, potentially contributing to disappearances.
Moreover, the presence of large methane hydrate fields, a form of natural gas, under the ocean surface in certain areas provides a scientific rationale for some incidents. Experiments have demonstrated that methane bubbles can reduce water density, which could lead to the submersion of ships. If methane outbursts, often referred to as “mud volcanoes,” were to occur, they might generate areas of foamy water with reduced buoyancy, causing ships to sink rapidly to the ocean floor.
Hurricanes have also played a significant role in the Bermuda Triangle’s history, causing numerous fatalities and extensive financial losses. Many Atlantic hurricanes pass through the Triangle as they change direction off the Eastern Seaboard. In the past, without the benefit of modern weather satellites, ships often had minimal warning about approaching hurricanes, leaving them to contend with fierce winds and heavy rains.
While no single theory definitively unravels the Bermuda Triangle’s mysteries, these scientific explanations reflect the ongoing quest to demystify this captivating and enigmatic region.
Continue reading about Bermuda Triangle below >>
WILL THE MYSTERY OF THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE EVER BE SOLVED?
Larry Kusche, author of “The Bermuda Triangle Mystery: Solved” (1975), challenged popular claims about the Bermuda Triangle. He found inconsistencies in stories by authors like Berlitz, revealing inaccuracies and exaggerations. Kusche’s research uncovered that many incidents attributed to the Bermuda Triangle occurred outside it, and some never happened. He explained disappearances as misreported, distorted for sensation. In 2013, the World Wide Fund for Nature excluded the Bermuda Triangle from the list of most dangerous waters for shipping.
Channel 4 and Lloyd’s of London found no exceptional ship sinkings or increased insurance premiums in the area. The United States Coast Guard also dismissed the Bermuda Triangle as a credible mystery, citing contradictory evidence in many cases. A 1976 TV show similarly discredited the mystery, attributing incidents to normal causes.
Advancements in technology and a better understanding of navigation and meteorology have debunked many myths. The Bermuda Triangle’s allure lies in stories rather than genuine mysteries.
Inventopedia: Stories of Inventors and Their Inventions
Scientific masterminds and their greatest inventions
