What Is the Bermuda Triangle?

The Bermuda Triangle has been shrouded in mystery for centuries, long rumored to be a place of alien abductions and ghost sightings. Strange disappearances were recorded there in 1872 and 1881 — in each case, a ship was found adrift without its crew. However, the term "Bermuda Triangle" was not coined until 1964, and many disappearances have been chalked up to natural disasters like waterspouts, a type of overwater tornado, as well as sky-high waves and powerful hurricanes.

Two incidents are still considered mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle, specifically Flight 19 and the USS Cyclops. On Dec. 5, 1945, experienced airmen lost their direction during a training exercise. After the 14 pilots lost contact, 13 rescuers were scrambled and lost to the same conditions. In 1918, the USS Cyclops went missing without a trace with 309 crewmen onboard. But these occurrences are not uncommon within the Bermuda Triangle.

There is no clear indication that these disappearances have anything to do with the supernatural, but they are still unexplained. So, it's only natural that people get a little nervous when they think about crossing it. But is there really anything special about this geographical area?

What is the Bermuda Triangle?

The Bermuda Triangle is an area of the Atlantic Ocean that doesn't necessarily have an agreed-upon boundary. The southeastern coast of the U.S., Bermuda, and the islands of Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico are the general parameters of the triangle-like space. According to some calculations, the Bermuda Triangle is anywhere between 500,000 and 1.5 million square miles. It may seem like a large swath of sea, but remember the ocean covers about 70 percent of Earth's surface.

Also known as the Devil's Triangle, this area of the Atlantic Ocean is rife with conspiracy theories. While there is no official number of missing vessels or planes within the area, the U.S. Navy estimates that around 50 ships and 20 aircrafts have gone missing there. Despite these figures and spooky stories, data does not show that disappearances are more likely in this spot. You'd be surprised at how many people have sailed or flown across the area without noticing anything unusual.

Why do things disappear in the Bermuda Triangle?

Conspiracy theorists have proposed many different (though mostly superstitious and inconceivable) reasons as to why disappearances and disasters occur in the Bermuda Triangle. Some have theorized that the area is a hotbed of alien activity, positing that these extraterrestrial beings are abducting humans for study. Alien theorists have considered this spot to be a sort of maritime Area 51. Others have suggested that it's the real-life location of the lost continent of Atlantis, therefore making it a portal to another dimension.

Some evidence suggests the Bermuda Triangle hosts a geomagnetic anomaly that can cause navigation systems to point to “true” north rather than “magnetic” north, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says. It should be noted, however, that magnetic anomalies are found all over the world. Explosive methane gas could also float to the water's surface causing ships to sink, according to National Geographic.

Superstitions and stories prevail because this area is perceived to have more disappearances than other parts of the world. This is untrue. When the World Wildlife Fund reported the most dangerous waters on the planet, the Bermuda Triangle wasn't mentioned.

The most likely culprit for these mysteries isn't really a mystery at all. Most scientific explanations include the many tropical storms and hurricanes that are notorious in this region, according to NOAA. The Gulf Stream Current, which moves warm water from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic, can cause rapid onset of extreme weather changes. Think of it like a thunderstorm, which occurs when warm and cold air collides.

Do pilots actually avoid it?

Because of superstition, many people assume pilots actively avoid this expanse of the ocean. Of course, anyone who has flown from Miami to San Juan, Puerto Rico, probably knows that's not true. If it were, everyone's vacations to the most beautiful destinations in the Caribbean would be ruined. There are many flights and cruises crisscrossing the Bermuda Triangle, so it's clear that the area is not actively avoided.

In terms of navigation, flights are constantly monitored by air traffic control, so pilots have support if there is a navigation failure. Weather conditions are also closely tracked every time a plane is scheduled to take off. Accidents still happen, of course, but no more frequently than anywhere in the world.

Investigating Bermuda Triangle conspiracy theories is more of a paranormal pursuit than a scientific one. Any pilots who avoid the Bermuda Triangle are probably just interested in the supernatural or UFOs. While entertaining these theories can certainly be fun, you can rest assured that the airline industry doesn't plan its routes around ghost stories.