"The Bermuda Triangle and Parapsychology" By Dave Beall

. Although not embraced by the parapsychological community, the Bermuda Triangle phenomena is an intriguing topic to the public. Jane Roberts' Seth claims the mysterious disappearances of ships and planes is the result of a "coordination point", which is a place where time and space meet. Supposed energy "crystals" from the ancient culture of Atlantis, which Edgar Cayce predicted would be discovered in the Atlantic Ocean, are suspected by some to be responsible for the peculiar events in this region. Some individuals consider UFOs as the source of the phenomena.

. A provacative theory has been proposed by geologists as a result of the recent discover and subsequent laboratory analysis of an ice like substance called hydrate. A hydrate layer, formed by mixing cold sea water and natural gas at immense pressures of the deep ocean, has been found on the ocean floor in the triangle area, and this seal prevents natural venting of natural gas from the large hydrocarbon desposits located there.

. When a large natural gas pocket is suddenly released as a result of a buildup in pressure or sea floor movement (i.e. faulting), ships can be suddenly swallowed by the foamy mixture of gas and water and temporary "islands" as much as one mile across can be visible on neighboring ship's radar screens, as the gas enters the atmosphere. Negative ions generated by agitated sea water rise into the atmosphere along with the lighter-than-air-gas, causing magnetic disturbances which could disrupt compass readings in the area. Aircraft, passing over the gas blowout, could experience engine failure due to oxygen starvation in the gas rich air and crash without a trace.

. Any sinking wreckage from a plane or ship could be carried miles from the accident site by the strong currents in the region, before being consumed by thick bottom muds or hydrate accumulations, leaving no evidence. The release of trapped gas desposits ruptured by faulting in shallow ocean areas could display similar characteristics, whithout hydrate, and the chance of a gas blowout of this nature exists anywhere in the world's oceans where large natural gas deposits are present. In the case of the Bermuda Triangle phenomena, it would appear that a reasonable explanation has been proposed. . Many aspects of parapsychology or related areas may not have solutions which readily conform to known physical principles. On the other hand, many esoteric or metaphysical ideas may someday be explainable in purely physical terms. In an attempt to understand paranormal occurences, an individual should remain open and objective until all of the evidence is in so that the temptation towards premature and unfounded conclusions can be overcome.