The Bermuda triangle is a section of the Atlantic Ocean infamous for claiming numerous ships and aircrafts under unknown circumstances.
The mythical stretch, which is roughly bounded by Puerto Rico, the island of Bermuda, and Miami, remains one of the greatest mysteries in the world up until now.
But new research from Arctic University in Norway suggests that multiple giant underwater craters on the bottom of the Barents Sea in the Arctic may actually shed light on the Bermuda triangle mystery, despite the large proximity.
The underwater craters on the Barents Sea measures up to 800 meters (2,624 feet) wide and 45 meters (147 feet) deep. Scientists believe these craters were formed by the building up of methane in sediments on the sea floor.
They leak, and pop through the sea bed and into the water above, causing enormous gas blowouts.
Researchers said the underwater craters probably represent one of the biggest hot spots for marine methane release in the Arctic.
Further details about the research will be released at the annual meeting of the European Geosciences Union in April, where scientists would analyze whether the "bubbles" from gas blowouts place ships in danger.
Last year, this possibility was explored by researchers. Russian scientist Igor Yelstov of the Trofimuk Institute said some theories suggest that the Bermuda triangle is the result of gas hydrate reactions.
Yelstov told The Sunday Times that the craters start to actively decompose with methane ice transforming into gas. He said the process happens the same way that avalanches occur, and like a nuclear reaction that produces huge amounts of gas.
"That makes the ocean heat up and ships sink in its waters mixed with a huge proportion of gas," added Yestov.
If the methane theory is correct, it could possibly account for the mysterious plane crashes. According to Bermuda Attractions, a gas blowout could cause a plane flying above it to catch fire and get destroyed completely.
Because the coast of Norway is rich in natural gas, the findings at the Barents Sea are not surprising. The research also suggests that there may be more underwater craters below the Bermuda Triangle than what was previously thought.
Photo: NOAA's National Ocean Service | Flickr
