On a December afternoon in 1945, five U.S. Navy planes took off from a Florida airbase on a training mission. The 14 crewmembers expected to return by dinnertime, but they got lost. A search-and-rescue aircraft with a crew of 13 was sent to find them. It disappeared, too.
Ships and planes searched thousands of square miles of the Atlantic Ocean. But the 27 crewmembers and their planes were never found. The Navy's official report said it was "as if they had flown to Mars."
The mysterious event captured people's interest. It's just part of the headline-grabbing history of the Bermuda Triangle.
A map shows the area of the Bermuda Triangle, with Bermuda as its northeast tip; Miami, Florida as its western point; and Puerto Rico as the southern tip of the triangle
Digital illustration: Achieve3000. Background photo: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio
Where Is the Bermuda Triangle?
The Bermuda Triangle is part of the Atlantic Ocean. But it isn't an officially recognized geographic area. Therefore, its exact size and location are unknown. Some say it covers about 500,000 square miles (1.3 million square kilometers). But others claim it's three times that size. Many people believe Bermuda is the triangle's northeast tip. They say it stretches south to Puerto Rico and west to Miami, Florida.
A History of Mystery?
The term Bermuda Triangle dates back to 1964. But strange stories have been told about this stretch of sea for hundreds of years. Christopher Columbus reported strange lights there in 1492. He reported odd compass readings, too. Experts say about 50 ships and 20 aircraft have gone missing there over the years.
The Search for Explanations
People have blamed the disappearances on curious causes. These range from wizardry to sea monsters. Others have suggested more scientific explanations. These include huge, unexpected waves. Or strange magnetic shifts that affect compasses.
The Truth about the Triangle
Scientists say the Bermuda Triangle doesn't deserve its deadly reputation. It's heavily traveled by ships and airplanes. And the area experiences sudden changes in weather and fierce tropical storms. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has weighed in, too. It says mysterious disappearances at sea happen everywhere. There's nothing special about the Bermuda Triangle.
But people often don't let truth get in the way of a good story. Our love of mystery runs deep.
Which passage from the article best supports the idea that the Bermuda Triangle is not unusually dangerous?
A.Scientists say the Bermuda Triangle doesn't deserve its deadly reputation.
B.People have blamed the disappearances on curious causes.
C.The mysterious event captured people's interest.
D.The Bermuda Triangle is part of the Atlantic Ocean.