Many conspiracy theories and urban legends surround the Bermuda Triangle, also known as the Devil’s Triangle. It is a section of Northern Atlantic Ocean where ships and aircrafts seem to mysteriously disappear, according to reports that began in the mid-1900s. The geographical designation of the triangle varies depending on the author, as does its lore, with many writers incorporating supernatural elements into their versions. Putting aside explanations of UFOS and parallel universes, scientists have solved the long-debated mystery of the Bermuda Triangle.

Logical Explanations

Unfortunately for urban legend lovers, Australian scientist Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki has never bought into the conspiracy theories, (and neither has America’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association). Rather, Kruszelnicki believes the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle was never a mystery; it was a series of tragic incidents with extremely logical explanations and probabilities.

The Bermuda Triangle and Other Areas

In the last century, over 50 ships and 20 planes have vanished in the Bermuda Triangle. But when you factor in the frequent travel in that area, these numbers don’t seem so unusual.

“According to Lloyds of London and the U.S. coast guard, the number of planes that go missing in the Bermuda Triangle is the same as anywhere in the world on a percentage basis,” Dr. Kruszelnicki said. “It is close to the equator, near a wealthy part of the world, America; therefore you have a lot of traffic.”

Similarly, the NOAA wrote in 2010, “There is no evidence that mysterious disappearances occur with any greater frequency in the Bermuda Triangle than in any other large, well-traveled area of the ocean.”

Environmental Causes

According to the NOAA, natural occurrences can answer for most of the disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle. That region has a tendency toward violent weather changes, as well as numerous islands, which complicate navigation. Additionally, some evidence indicates that the Devil’s Triangle has a magnetic pull that makes compasses point to true north into of magnetic north, which can confuse wayfinders.

“The U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard contend that there are no supernatural explanations for disasters at sea,” NOAA says. “Their experience suggests that the combined forces of nature and human fallibility outdo even the most incredulous science fiction.”

Methane Hydrates

Another common explanation involves a natural gas that forms in the ocean and creates bubbles that can decrease the water’s density. “There is a microscopic chance of something called methane clathrate,” Kruszelnicki said. “Which are methane gas bound in ice could bubble loose from the ocean floor, come up to the surface and then have a shower of bubbles appearing at the surface.”

However, this theory was debunked since this gas couldn’t have pulled down ships and planes, and certainly not every one of them that have “fallen victim” to the Triangle.

Human Error

Kruszelnicki states that every instance of Bermuda Triangle disappearances involved some element of human error or poor weather conditions. Or both. For example, Flight 19 is one of the most famous incidents that propelled the Triangle into the spotlight.

The Doomed Flight 19

In December 1945, a group of five torpedo bombers vanished over the Bermuda Triangle during a training mission. “In charge of them was Lt. Charles Taylor, who, on two occasions, was such a bad navigator that he got lost at sea,” Kruszelnicki said.

He adds that Taylor had tried to have someone else lead the mission, without success. Additionally, he was seen on duty without a watch, which was considered “very unprofessional,” in addition to being hungover.

Kruszelnicki continues, “Once out at sea, he then did not follow the standard lost at sea procedure with regard to the training mission. And instead of heading back to the west, he kept on going east, further out into the Atlantic Ocean, ran out of fuel and vanished.”

Stick with Bermuda Triangle Fiction

Of course, weather and bad choices do not make for good stories to share around the campfire. As disappointing and boring the truth may be, it doesn’t need to stop the mystery surrounding the Bermuda Triangle. Like most urban legends such as Bloody Mary or Bigfoot, you don’t have to believe it to enjoy it. And keep in mind, air travel and sea travel can be dangerous anywhere in the world, regardless of potential supernatural occurrences.