The Mystery of the Alaska Triangle
A map of the Alaska Triangle. Image: Legends of America
Nestled within the breathtaking landscapes of Alaska lies a mysterious and foreboding place known as the Alaska Triangle, where people and planes vanish without a trace, and unexplainable phenomena abound.
Disappearances in the Alaska Triangle
U.S. House Majority Leader Hale Boggs disappeared while flying in a private plane between Juneau and Anchorage. Image: The Manual
In 1972, intrigue surrounding the Alaska Triangle was sparked when U.S. House Majority Leader Hale Boggs disappeared while flying in a private plane between Juneau and Anchorage.
Despite launching one of the nation's most extensive search-and-rescue operations, involving 50 civilian planes and 40 military aircraft scouring a search grid larger than the state of Maine, no trace of Boggs, his crew, or his plane was ever found.
The Alaska Triangle is a region in the northernmost part of the United States that connects Anchorage and Juneau in the south to Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow) in the north. The area is known for its rugged and unforgiving wilderness, featuring dense boreal forests, craggy mountain peaks, alpine lakes, and vast stretches of wilderness.
Despite the expectation of people going missing in such a dramatic backdrop, the sheer number of disappearances in the Alaska Triangle is astonishing. What's even more surprising is that many vanish without leaving any clues, and the chances of finding bodies, alive or deceased, are extremely low.
Looking at the statistics, it appears that something more than a mere accident is responsible for the events within the Alaska Triangle. Since 1988, over 16,000 people, comprising of hikers, tourists, airplane passengers, and locals, have gone missing within the area. The rate of disappearances per 1,000 individuals is over twice the national average, and the rate of individuals never found is even higher. These numbers suggest that there might be something beyond getting lost in the mountains behind these vanishings.
Theories about the Bermuda Triangle have been circulating for almost as long as planes have flown over the Atlantic Ocean. Enthusiasts of mystery novels and legends have proposed various reasons for the disappearance of aircraft and ships within the Bermuda Triangle, ranging from uncommonly dense air and strange weather conditions to extraterrestrial involvement and energy beams emanating from the lost city of Atlantis. Many have similarly speculated on the reasons behind the Alaska Triangle's enigmas. As the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle gradually unravel, these speculations are only increasing.
Other Strange Phenomena in the Alaska Triangle
Stunning aurora over Alaska
Another famous incident in the Alaska Triangle involves a report made to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 1986 by a Japanese cargo flight. According to the report, Japan Air Lines Flight 1628 encountered three unidentified flying objects above the region. The pilot initially assumed that the crafts were military and ignored them.
Before long he realized that the objects were keeping pace and moving unpredictably around his own aircraft. For about 50 minutes, the strange crafts followed Flight 1628 while emitting bursts of blinding light. The statements provided by the crew were corroborated by civilian and military radar, and the FAA report gained national attention.
Possible Explanations
Mundane
It’s probable that some of the cases of missing persons in the Alaska Triangle are just representative of the dangers of traveling through such a harsh and inhospitable terrain. Alaska is massive, over twice the size of Texas, and the majority of it is still uninhabited, characterized by rugged mountains and dense forests.
Searching for a missing person in the Alaskan wilderness is looking for a needle in a haystack.
Another scientific explanation for the mysterious occurrences within the Alaska Triangle is attributed to the region's distinctive geography. The massive glaciers in the state harbor colossal gaps, concealed caves, and crevasses that can span the size of buildings. These features serve as ideal resting places for planes and individuals who have gone astray.
The fast-paced and unrelenting snowstorms that persist throughout the year can bury any evidence of a plane crash or stranded person in mere moments. Once buried under fresh snow, the chances of recovering the lost plane or individual drop drastically to nearly zero.
Energy Vortexes
Another more interesting theory is that the Alaska Triangle is home to massive swirling energy vortexes that have a profound impact on human behavior and emotions. According to this theory, the rotation of these energy centers can have either positive or negative effects on individuals.
A clockwise spinning vortex is said to have positive effects, while a counterclockwise spin is believed to promote negativity and confusion. Electronic readings have confirmed higher intensities of magnetic irregularities in the area, and search teams have reported compass malfunctions up to 30 degrees off. Even volunteers who have searched the area have reported experiencing mysterious symptoms, including disorientation and audio hallucinations.
Kushtaka
The native Tlingit and Tsimshian peoples have their own interpretation of the events that occur in the Alaska Triangle. They believe that a shapeshifting creature known as the "Kushtaka" is responsible for the disappearances. This cryptid is said to roam the Alaskan wilderness in search of human prey.
According to the mythology, these otter-like creatures have the ability to transform into the form of a trusted friend or relative, luring lost or injured victims deeper into the wild. The Kushtaka ultimately tears its victims apart or turns them into another Kushtaka. This legend is particularly popular in Southeastern Alaska.
Conspiracy Theories
Some of the more bizarre rumors surrounding the Alaska Triangle involve secret structures and government conspiracies. For instance, some claim that there is a ancient pyramid hidden beneath Denali National Park, while others believe that the scientists at the High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) in the University of Alaska Fairbanks are not studying the atmosphere, but instead using their research to manipulate the natural magnetic fields and control the weather patterns in Alaska's remote wilderness.
What do you think is causing the strange phenomena within the Alaska Triangle? Tell us you theory in the comments.
If you enjoyed learning about the Alaska Triangle you might also be interested in the Bridgewater Triangle or the Bennington Triangle.
