Weather has always held a certain mystique for humanity. Its unpredictability and power have given rise to countless legends and weather myths throughout history. While science can explain many weather phenomena, there remain some weather-related enigmas that continue to baffle researchers and fuel speculation. In this article, we are going to explore a couple of these fascinating weather phenomena.
The Mysterious Bermuda Triangle
The Bermuda Triangle, also known as the “Devil’s Triangle,” is a loosely defined region in the western part of the North Atlantic Ocean. This area has gained notoriety due to a series of disappearances of ships and aircraft over the years.
Image source: NOAA
Possible explanations for these disappearances include sudden, severe weather conditions such as waterspouts or microbursts, which can create havoc for ships and aircraft. Another theory suggests the presence of underwater methane hydrate eruptions, which could lead to sinking vessels. However, there’s still no conclusive explanation for all incidents that have occurred in this area. Here is a list of the most recent incidents that took place in the Devil’s Triangle because of unexplained weather events:
| Year | Description |
|---|---|
| 2005 | An aircraft with 3 people on board disappeared between Treasure Cay Island, Bahamas and Fort Pierce, Florida. |
| 2015 | Two 14-year-old boys vanished during a fishing trip. A year later, their boat was discovered off Bermuda’s coast. |
| 2015 | A ship with 33 crew members on board sank within the triangle after sailing into Hurricane Joaquin. The vessel was found at the bottom of the sea, 15,000 ft (4.5 km) deep. |
| 2017 | A mechanical and electrical failure forced a Turkish Airlines flight to divert from its original route from Havana, Cuba to Washington Dulles Airport. |
| 2017 | A private plane disappeared from the radar and lost contact with the controllers in Miami when it was flying at 24,000 ft (7 km). The remains of the plane were found later. |
A group of scientists and researchers continue to study the Bermuda Triangle, seeking answers to the weather mysteries that surround it. While it’s possible to attribute many incidents to known factors, the aura of the unknown still lingers over this region.
Skyquakes: A Sonic Mystery of the Skies
Unexplained atmospheric mysteries also belong to nature’s secrets that science cannot clarify. One such mystery is the so-called skyquakes. These explosive sounds were reported in various areas, leaving witnesses startled and communities puzzled. Specifically, skyquakes were reported at the following locations:
- United States, Canada
- India, Indonesia, Japan
- Finland, Norway, Italy, Netherlands
- Australia
- Argentina
- United Kingdom
While it’s possible to rationalize some instances by military aircraft or construction activities, many skyquakes defy easy explanation. Witnesses described these booms as sounding like thunder or even cannon fire, yet they occur without any visible signs of rain, thunderstorms, or military operations.
Skyquakes have led scientists to explore various hypotheses. The hypotheses include atmospheric disturbances, meteorite explosions, or even the sonic effects of meteorological phenomena. However, these theories have not provided a definitive answer to the origin of all reported skyquakes.
The Vanishing Ships of the Great Lakes
The Great Lakes, a vast and interconnected system of fresh water lakes in North America, are renowned for their beauty and natural splendor. However, they hold a centuries-old mystery – the vanishing ships. Over the years, numerous vessels have gone missing in the Great Lakes region, leaving behind no wreckage, no survivors, and no explanation for their disappearance. These incidents have occurred despite the lakes being well-traveled by commercial and recreational vessels.
One of the most known cases is the disappearance of the schooner Thomas Hume in 1891. The ship, along with its crew of seven, set sail on Lake Michigan and was never seen again. Despite extensive search efforts, no debris or remains were ever found. Another infamous story includes the vanishing of the Edmund Fitzgerald in 1975, which sank with 29 crew members on Lake Superior.
Image source: Greenmars, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Violent storms, harsh climate, and treacherous weather conditions prevalent in the area can explain some of these disappearances. However, the lack of any wreckage or survivors still belongs to weather mysteries. Theories range from massive rogue waves to underwater geological features capable of trapping ships. However, none provide a conclusive answer for the many ships that have seemingly vanished without a trace.
The Marfa Lights Phenomenon
In the remote West Texas desert near the town of Marfa, more weather-related mysteries have captured the attention of locals and visitors alike for generations. Known as the “Marfa Lights,” the glowing orbs appear randomly in the night sky. These unexplained atmospheric phenomena change colors and brightness, float above the desert terrain, and even split into multiple lights before vanishing into thin air. The glow has been reported in various forms, with some accounts dating back to the 19th century.
Image source: Texas.gov on Facebook
Despite numerous weather phenomenon investigations, the Marfa Lights still belong to mysterious atmospheric occurrences. Skeptics have tried themselves in unraveling the mysteries of these lights. Some explanations included mirages, car headlights, or atmospheric conditions playing tricks on the observer’s perception. However, these explanations do not account for all the reported sightings, leaving room for doubt and intrigue.
Conclusion
Some things in nature are still weather-related mysteries, even with science. From the elusive Bermuda Triangle to the mesmerizing Marfa Lights, these phenomena fascinate meteorologists and invite us to explore and question. They show us that nature has secrets that we may never know, making the world more amazing and exciting.
