Geophysical Variables and Behavior: IX. Expected Clinical Consequences of Close Proximity to UFO-Related Luminosities

Transient and localized plasma-like luminosities associated with intense electromagnetic fields appear to be systematically associated with tectonic strain within the earth's crust. Although contact proximity to these UFO-like luminosities is fatal, less terminal encounters have generated many religious and cosmic references. Unfortunately, the biobehavioral effects produced by these hazardous exposures have not been considered seriously. One hypothesis is that close-encounter experiences displayed near a luminosity are evoked by direct stimulation through current induction within the observer's brain. Because of the architectural and electrical characteristics of temporal lobe structures, their functions should dominate clinical profiles. Whereas the immediate experience would involve dream-like sequences, terror, perceptual changes, depersonalization, vestibular alterations, auditory sensations, and profound meaningfulness, post-episodic effects would include amnesia, time loss, confabulation, crisis suggestibility, and electroconvulsive shock symptoms. Progressive personality deterioration could be characterized by enhanced religiosity, “sense of the personal,” a compulsion to proselytize, affective disorders and modifications of memory from before the event.

Geophysical Variables and Human Behavior: XV. Tectonic Strain Luminosities (UFO Reports) as Predictable but Hidden Events within Pre-1947 Central U.S.A

Changes in tectonic strain within the earth's crust have been hypothesized to be the primary energetic source for most documented UFO (unidentified flying object) events. Multiple regression analyses indicate that at least 50% of the variance in UFO report measures can be accommodated by optimal solar-seismic variables. Equations for the central U.S.A. accurately predicted the occurrence of UFO-report episodes after the years from which they were generated and indicate the occurrence of UFO-like reports long before the year 1947. However the labels applied to these phenomena may have changed from generation to generation.

Geophysical Variables and Human Behavior: XIX. Strong Temporal Relationships between Inclusive Seismic Measures and UFO Reports within Washington State

Monthly measures of general unidentified flying-object reports (UFORs) and a specific subsample of luminosity-type reports (LRs) were compared with monthly variations in several seismic indices within Washington state for the years 1970 to 1976. A strong correlation occurred between the magnitude of a measure of the total energy released in a month and the time since the previous peak in UFORs and LRs. Percentage changes in UFORs and LRs with respect to the previous month were not correlated significantly with the occurrence of larger magnitude (M ≥ 2.0) quakes but were moderately to strongly correlated with the numbers and percentage changes from the previous month in events of smaller magnitude (1.0 ≤ M < 2.0). These seismic events also showed a systematic variation in lag time with the larger displays of seismic energy. Peaks in both UFORs and small magnitude events occurred between 0 to 6 mo. before increments with the larger seismic energy values; the average lag was about 2 months for both phenomena. Maximum correlations between numbers of UFORs and LRs and the numbers of events of smaller magnitude occurred when increments used in analysis averaged about 3 months. These analyses indicate that systematic and intricate relationships between samples of UFORs and earthquake measures are evident when the latter reflect a more representative sample of seismic events within the test area.

Geophysical Variables and Human Behavior: XVI. Some Criticisms

Recent statistical studies suggesting that numbers of UFO reports are related to geophysical phenomena are examined. It is argued that the studies have used inadequate data and that the physical interpretation of the studies needs closer examination.

Geophysical variables and behavior: XXVI. A response to Rutkowski's critique of the tectonic strain hypothesis for UFO phenomena

The tectonic strain hypothesis for many reports of UFOs (UFORs), primarily odd luminosities and metallic-looking phenomena, has been criticized on the basis of inadequate data. This reply begins with the distinction between the empirical basis for the association between UFORs and seismic activity, the hypothesis, and laboratory experiments. It is emphasized that criticisms of data should be based upon empirical criteria rather than value judgments about scientific credibility. Multivariate and bivariate analyses have indicated systematic relationships between UFORs and earthquake measures within several different areas and for different historical periods. However, the physical mechanisms for the generation of individual UFO events and their relationship to UFORs require closer examination.