The Bermuda Triangle – The Fabricated Mystery
The Bermuda Triangle has been part of the public discussion on mysteries, conspiracies, and paranormal events since the 1950s. This area of the western Atlantic Ocean has become infamous throughout the globe and, while there have been some inexplicable disappearances related to it, it may be a bigger mystery than anyone has imagined – a mystery of our own creation.
What is the Bermuda Triangle?
The Bermuda Triangle, also known as the Devil’s Triangle, is an area in the western part of the North Atlantic Ocean, off the southeastern coast of the United States, that is bounded by the triangle formed by points in Miami, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico. It is estimated to be about 500,000 square miles of open water.
History of the Bermuda Triangle
The earliest documented accounts of the Bermuda Triangle come from the works of sixteenth century Spanish explorers and cartographers. These accounts attribute many mysterious happenings to the area, such as unusual light phenomena, and strange waterspouts.
It wasn’t until the 1950s that the Bermuda Triangle gained the attention of the wider public. This was due in large part to an article by journalist George X. Sand and a book by Charles Berlitz (The Bermuda Triangle, 1974) that detailed a large number of strange events associated with the area. Their accounts of disappearances, hauntings and other mysteries galvanized public interest in the area, and fueled the idea that the area was in some way cursed or dangerous.
Advocates of the Paranormal
Over the years, the idea of the Bermuda Triangle as a site of paranormal activity has been taken up by promoters of supernatural phenomena, leading to an ever-growing list of mysteries and disappearances connected to the area. The alleged disappearances and other mysterious occurrences in the area have resulted in a variety of theories being offered, ranging from paranormal activity to alien abductions.
The evidence supporting the idea of paranormal activity in the Bermuda Triangle is, however, scant. Much of the evidence cited in support of the supernatural theories relies on dubious anecdotes and uncorroborated accounts.
Explaining the Mystery
While there have been some unexplained disappearances and events in the Bermuda Triangle area, much of the mystery can be explained by the geographical and meteorological conditions of the area.
Geographically, the Bermuda Triangle includes some of the most treacherous waters in the world. It is surrounded by intense tidal currents, frequent large storms, and shallow water depths. In addition, the area is also prone to unusual seismic activities and underwater volcanic eruptions.
Meteorologically, the area is subject to Gulf Stream irregularities, as well as dense fogs, heavy squalls, and powerful lightning flashes. These factors can swindle ships, making them difficult to see from the air and far from shore. Also, the presence of highly corrosive methane gas hydrates or “fire ice” may cause a ship to sink quickly.
Finally, the area has relatively large numbers of boats and aircraft travelling through it, making it statistically inevitable that some of them will be lost for various reasons.
The Bermuda Triangle may be a site of paranormal activity in the hearts and minds of some, but its true mystery lies in the fact that it is largely a fabrication of our own imagination. Despite its mysterious qualities, the Bermuda Triangle is mostly explained by known meteorological and geographical conditions. The myriad of disappearances attributed to the triangle since its inception in the 1950s, can be generally attributed to the large number of boats and planes travelling the area. In short, the Bermuda Triangle is likely no more and no less dangerous than any other stretch of ocean.
