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News18
15 hours ago
- Science
- News18
Bermuda Triangle: The World's Lamest Anti-Climax
Last Updated: The Bermuda Triangle mystery is solved: harsh weather, human error, and magnetic anomalies explain disappearances. No supernatural forces are involved The Bermuda Triangle has long baffled the world, swallowing ships and aircraft that pass through or above its waters. This infamous stretch of ocean is bordered by Florida, Bermuda, and the Greater Antilles. Similarly, Australia's Bass Strait in the Tasman Sea is also linked to supernatural legends, believed to claim ships and planes. Globally, over 50 ships and 20 planes have disappeared in these mysterious regions. Popular theories have ranged from sea monsters and alien abductions to the lost city of Atlantis as explanations for these vanishings. However, scientific investigations have now demystified these events. Australian scientist Dr Karl Kruszelnicki attributes the disappearances primarily to severe weather and human error. Experts from the United States, the United Kingdom, and the United States Coast Guard support this view. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) stated in 2010: 'There is no evidence that ships and planes disappear mysteriously in the Bermuda Triangle more frequently than in other large ocean areas." What Really Happens? Since 2017, Dr Kruszelnicki has emphasised that these incidents occur at normal rates due to the heavy traffic and challenging navigation in the area. Lloyd's of London, the global insurance market, has held this perspective since the 1970s. NOAA further explains that environmental factors such as sudden weather changes caused by the Gulf Stream, a complex maze of Caribbean islands, and rare magnetic anomalies affecting compasses account for most disappearances. The Most Famous Incident: Flight 19 One of the most renowned cases is the disappearance of US Flight 19 in 1945 where five US Navy bombers were lost over the Bermuda Triangle. Theories suggest bad weather, navigational errors, or both as likely causes. Despite scientific explanations, conspiracy theories persist, fuelled by books, TV shows, and films that find sea monsters and lost civilisations more thrilling than meteorology and statistics. The Bass Strait Triangle Mysteries The Bass Strait Triangle, the treacherous waters between mainland Australia and Tasmania, also harbours a dark history of unexplained disappearances. The most infamous case is that of 20-year-old pilot Frederick Valentich in 1978. While flying a Cessna 182L from Moorabbin, Victoria, to King Island, Valentich reported seeing a 'strange, metallic object" above him before radio contact was lost, and he was never found. Other Notable Disappearances In 1973, the cargo ship MV Blythe Star vanished suddenly. Some crew survived, and parts of the ship were recovered, but its disappearance added to the region's eerie reputation. The 1797 disappearance of the ship Sloop Eliza while salvaging wreckage from Sydney Cove remains unexplained. Between 1838 and 1840, at least seven ships bound for Melbourne went missing, with wreckage found for only three. In 1858, the British warship HMS Sappho, carrying over 100 people, disappeared without substantial wreckage. The coal ship SS Federal vanished in 1901; its wreck was only discovered in 2019. The German cargo ship SS Ferdinand Fischer disappeared without trace in 1906. In 1920, the schooner Amelia J disappeared, followed by the loss of the barkentine Southern Cross and a military aircraft searching for it. In 1934, the De Havilland Express plane Miss Hobart vanished shortly after takeoff. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Science
- Economic Times
Mystery of Bermuda Triangle, where 50 ships or 20 planes have disappeared, solved!
Synopsis While the Bermuda Triangle's mysteries are often attributed to the supernatural, the Bass Strait Triangle presents its own series of unexplained disappearances. From the 18th century to the present day, ships, planes, and people have vanished in this treacherous stretch of water between Australia and Tasmania. Despite theories, experts often cite natural hazards and volatile weather as the primary causes. TIL Creatives AI-generated image for representative purpose For decades, tales of the Bermuda Triangle—a region roughly bounded by Florida, Bermuda, and the Greater Antilles—have fueled stories of supernatural forces swallowing ships and planes. More than 50 vessels and 20 aircraft have vanished there in the past century, sparking theories about sea monsters, alien abductions, and the lost city of Atlantis. But now an Australian scientist may have solved that puzzle. According to AOL, Australian scientist Karl Kruszelnicki says the real explanation is far less mysterious: statistics, bad weather, and human error. His theory is backed by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Lloyd's of London, and the U.S. Coast Guard. '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,' NOAA stated in 2010. Kruszelnicki has been making the same case since 2017, noting that the sheer volume of traffic—combined with tricky navigation—means incidents happen at a normal rate on a percentage basis. Lloyd's of London has held this view since the 1970s. NOAA adds that environmental factors explain most cases: the Gulf Stream's sudden weather shifts, the maze of Caribbean islands complicating navigation, and rare magnetic anomalies that can confuse compasses. Even high-profile disappearances, like the 1945 loss of Flight 19—five U.S. Navy bombers—can be attributed to poor weather, navigational mistakes, or both. Still, conspiracy theories endure in books, TV shows, and films—because sea monsters and lost civilizations make for better entertainment than math and Bass Strait Triangle, a stretch of treacherous water between mainland Australia and Tasmania, has a long history of strange vanishings. The most famous is the 1978 disappearance of 20-year-old pilot Frederick Valentich. Flying a Cessna 182L from Moorabbin, Victoria, to King Island, Valentich reported a 'strange, metallic object' hovering above him before losing radio contact. Neither he nor his plane was ever years earlier, in 1973, the freighter MV Blythe Star vanished without warning. While some crew survived a harrowing ordeal and fragments of the ship were later found, the mystery surrounding its disappearance only deepened the Strait's eerie notable incidents include:1797 – The Sloop ElizaVanished while salvaging cargo from the wrecked Sydney Cove in the Furneaux Group—the first recorded disappearance in the Strait.1838–1840 – A String of Lost VesselsAt least seven ships bound for Melbourne disappeared with all hands; wreckage from only three was ever found.1858 – HMS SapphoA British warship carrying over 100 crew disappeared without leaving identifiable wreckage.1901 – SS FederalLost while carrying coal; its wreck was only discovered in 2019.1906 – SS Ferdinand FischerA German cargo vessel vanished without trace.1920 – Twin DisappearancesThe schooner Amelia J went missing on 10 September. While searching for her, the barquentine Southern Cross and a military aircraft also disappeared. Only Southern Cross wreckage was recovered.1934 – Miss Hobart AirlinerA De Havilland Express vanished soon after entering service; only small debris washed ashore.1935 – Loina CrashAnother Holyman airliner crashed near Flinders Island. All five aboard were lost, and no bodies recovered.1940s – WWII Aircraft LossesSeveral RAAF Bristol Beaufort bombers disappeared during training, likely due to inexperience and risky low-altitude flying.1972 – Brenda Hean & Max PriceThe pair vanished in a Tiger Moth while on an environmental protest flight from Tasmania to Canberra. Sabotage was suspected but unproven.1979 – Yacht CharlestonDisappeared en route to join the Sydney–Hobart Yacht Race, leaving no the legends, experts often point to natural hazards—swiftly changing wind patterns near Flinders and King Islands, shallow waters, and volatile weather—as the likely causes behind many of these Latest CaseOn August 7, 2025, 72-year-old Gregory Vaughan and 66-year-old Kim Worner vanished after taking off from George Town, Tasmania, in a light sport aircraft bound for Hillston, New South Wales. The plane never arrived. Police have found no evidence of foul play but face the same unpredictable weather that has plagued countless search efforts in the Bass Strait.
Economic Times
6 days ago
- General
- Economic Times
Bass Strait Triangle: Inside Australia's own Bermuda Triangle of Lost aircraft, missing ships, and maritime myths
TIL Creatives Some point to electromagnetic anomalies, while others suggest even more far-fetched causes, such as UFOs or time warps, narratives reminiscent of those surrounding the Bermuda Triangle. As the search for a missing light aircraft carrying two Tasmanians enters its sixth day over the Bass Strait, renewed attention is being drawn to the region's long-standing reputation as a maritime mystery zone, often dubbed the 'Bass Strait Triangle.'Located between mainland Australia and Tasmania, Bass Strait is a shallow yet notoriously volatile body of water. With an average depth of just 50 metres and a length of over 300 kilometres, it poses significant navigational challenges. Also Read: Police rule out foul play as search for missing Tasmanian plane enters sixth day over Bass Strait The area is prone to sudden weather shifts, powerful tidal flows, and wave patterns that can scatter wreckage widely. These conditions have contributed to the region's grim reputation for unexplained disappearances. Like its Atlantic counterpart, the Bermuda Triangle, the Bass Strait Triangle has become the subject of speculation and mystery over the decades. According to the website dozens of aircraft and vessels have vanished or encountered trouble in the area, incidents often later attributed to harsh maritime conditions or mechanical failure, but not without fuelling tales of the comparisons are not new. Local myths and conspiracy theories, often spurred by media and maritime lore, suggest that the Strait harbours unknown forces. Some point to electromagnetic anomalies, while others suggest even more far-fetched causes, such as UFOs or time warps, narratives reminiscent of those surrounding the Bermuda most famous case linked to the Bass Strait Triangle is that of Frederick Valentich, a young pilot who disappeared in 1978 while flying a Cessna 182L from Moorabbin, Victoria, to King Island. Just before losing radio contact, Valentich reported that a strange, metallic object was hovering above him. Neither he nor the aircraft was ever found, adding to the enigma of the 1973, the MV Blythe Star, a coastal freighter, vanished without a trace in the Bass Strait. Though parts of the ship were later found and some crew members survived after a harrowing ordeal, the initial disappearance added to the Strait's than that, an article on everything explained today listed some of the most interesting incidents that happened over this stretch of water. 1. The Disappearance of the Sloop Eliza (1797) After the ship Sydney Cove was wrecked on the Furneaux Group, the sloop Eliza, engaged in salvage operations, vanished on its return to Sydney — the first known disappearance linked to the Bass Strait. 2. A String of Lost Vessels (1838–1840) At least seven vessels travelling to or from the newly established settlement in Melbourne were lost with all hands. Wreckage from only three was ever recovered. 3. The Warship HMS Sappho Vanishes (1858) A British naval warship disappeared with over 100 crew members aboard. No positively identifiable wreckage was ever found. 4. SS Federal Lost With 31 Crew (1901) The SS Federal disappeared while carrying coal from NSW. Its wreck was only discovered in 2019, more than a century later. 5. SS Ferdinand Fischer Disappears (1906) This German cargo ship vanished in the Bass Strait without a trace. 6. The Twin Disappearances of 1920: SS Amelia J and SS Southern Cross The schooner Amelia J disappeared on 10 September 1920. While searching for her, the barquentine Southern Cross and a military search aircraft, an Airco DH. 9A, also vanished. Only the Southern Cross wreckage was later found on King Island. 7. Miss Hobart Airliner Lost (1934) A De Havilland Express plane went missing soon after entering service. Only minor wreckage was found along the Victorian coast. 8. Loina Plane Crash (1935) Another Holyman airliner, Loina , crashed near Flinders Island. All five on board died, and no bodies were recovered. 9. WWII RAAF Aircraft Disappearances (1940s) Several RAAF Bristol Beaufort bombers went missing during training exercises over Bass Strait, possibly due to inexperience and dangerous low-altitude manoeuvres. 10. The Vanishing of Brenda Hean & Max Price (1972) Their De Havilland Tiger Moth vanished en route from Tasmania to Canberra during an environmental protest flight. Sabotage was suspected but never confirmed.. 12. Yacht Charleston Disappears (1979) On its way to join the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race, the yacht vanished without a the myths, experts often point to the natural hazards of the Bass Strait as the real culprits. The shifting wind patterns near Flinders Island and King Island, combined with shallow waters and rapidly changing weather, make flying or sailing across the Strait of August 7, 2025, Gregory Vaughan, 72, and Kim Worner, 66, remain missing after their light sport aircraft vanished shortly after take-off from George Town, Tasmania. The plane was bound for Hillston in New South Wales but failed to arrive, prompting a large-scale search over Bass have stated there is no evidence to suggest foul play and continue the search with aerial and marine patrols, again battling unpredictable conditions over the notorious waters.
