Introduction
The crop circle phenomena has puzzled
and mystified humanity for many years. Many theories as to the
cause of these strange occurrences have emerged. Ideas range
from Energy fields to Plasma Vortexes to UFOs. For the most
part, the answer to this mystery is still hidden within the
cosmos.
Early Circles
Most people, and even some researchers,
believe that crop circles began in 1980 in the English
countryside. However, there is evidence of crop circles as
early as 1678 in Hertfordshire, England. The first crop circle
viewed from the air was observed in Tully, England, in 1966.
The first modern rash of crop circles,
appeared in Australia in December of 1973. Near Wokurna (a
community southeast of Adelaide, Australia) a strange circular
imprint appeared in a wheat field. UFOlogist investigated, and
theories from rotating wind to kangaroos emerged. However, no
definite answer to the conundrum was ever reached. These
circles were nicknamed "saucer nests". Soon seven
swirled circles (up to 14 feet in diameter) appeared in an oat
field near Bordertown, Australia (nearby to Wokurna). In
December of 1989, an amazing set of circles (ranging from a
few inches to a few feet in diameter) appeared in the Mallee
wheat belt west of Melbourne, Australia. The circles were on
the land owned by the Jolly family. As many as 90 crop circles
were found. Strange nocturnal lights were seen in the area
during these occurrences and a strange "screaming"
noise was heard by locals at night.
Eduard "Billy" Meier is a
Swiss caretaker who claims to have had contacts with aliens
from the Pleiades star system during the 1970s and early '80s.
A number of circles have appeared in grass near his farm in
Switzerland. The grass in these circles was matted flat and
swirled. However, the stalks were not broken, the were only
bent. They continued to grow along the ground. This rules out
the possibility of a hoax.
A crop circle case similar to that of
Eduard Meier's occurred on September 1, 1974, on a farm near
Langenburg, Saskatchewan. Thirty-six-year-old Edwin Fuhr
watched several dome-shaped crafts spinning above his crop
field. As the domes ascended a strong downward wind fell upon
the field. During the experience, Fuhr reported a momentary
period of paralysis. The crafts had left a number of circles
in his field. The grass in the circles was pressed flat, it
was not broken, burnt, or dead. Nearby dogs barked wildly and
a neighbour's cattle broke through a fence during the
experience. Circles continued to appear on the farm.
Eventually, seven swirled circles had been found.
Circle Epidemic
The modern spread of crop circles began
in southern England during the summer of 1980. They have
continued to multiply ever since. Nine out of ten circles
remained simple with broken stems flattened to the ground and
swirled. The stalks around the circles remained completely
erect. The town of Warminster, England and its surrounding
land was the main focus for the phenomena. Warminster is a
world famous UFO hotspot, and the focus of much British
military activity. Hundreds of circles were appearing each
summer, regularly between the months of May and August. The
formation of the circles usually occurs in the early morning
hours. By the end of 1988, 112 new circles had been formed,
mostly in England's Wessex counties of Hampshire and
Wiltshire. Circles were now being reported worldwide. By the
end of 1989, 305 circles were formed. The total grew to an
outstanding 1000 newly-formed circles in 1990. In 1991, 200 to
300 circles were formed. At this time, crop circles had
appeared in over 30 countries, including Canada, the former
Soviet Union, Japan, and the United States. Crop circles had
become much more geometrically intricate over the years.
Patterns now involved multiple circles, bars, triangles,
rings, and spurs. Pictorial imagery also appeared. The
smallest crop circle reported had an 8 inch diameter while the
largest was approximately an eighth of a mile long. High
pitched warbling noises have been recorded at the sight of
crop circles and some of the plant stalks within the circles
show evidence of being exposed to rapid microwave heating.
Crop circles were usually accompanied by unusual lights seen
in the night sky (as seen below).
Theories
Scientists have attempted to explain
crop circles as a result of natural processes. One popular
theory that is accepted by many mainstream scientists and
academicians was created by Dr. Terence Meaden. It is known as
the "Plasma Vortex Theory". It theorizes that
electrified air (plasma), on the leeward side of hills,
becomes mini-tornadoes and screws down onto the ground,
creating the circles. The theory also holds that the
electrified air would cause a light to appear above the circle
and therefore account for UFO sightings. However, this theory
has come under fire because of the highly intricate and
complex crop circle patterns that have appeared since 1991.
This theory still holds some clout.
Another theory is that the circles are
all hoaxes. Major support came to this theory when, on
September 9, 1991, Doug Bower and David Chorley of England
claimed to have hoaxed approximately 250 crop circles.
However, the circles that they claimed to have hoaxed were
more ragged than others, and many were already under suspicion
of being hoaxes. It is very unlikely that hoaxers created all
the crop circles around the world. Many crop circles show
strange mathematical traits when analysed.
One of the most controversial theories
is that crop circles were created by extraterrestrials. As
mentioned before , UFOs have been seen in the presence of crop
circles. Many crop circles are formed in UFO Hotspots (such as
Warminster, England) or during UFO sighting waves. Edwin Fuhr
witnessed several UFOs creating crop circles. However, if
extraterrestrials create crop circles, the question remains:
why? Some claim it is to warn us of impending ecological
disaster on Earth. Others theorize it is a way of introducing
us to a "new physics". For now, the question remains
a mystery.
Recent Events
Several recent videos taken by
cereologists (people who study the crop circle phenomena) in
England have revealed startling clues to the mystery. The
films show strange balls of light flying about recently formed
crop circles, in broad daylight! The films show lights flying
off into the sky and disappearing after "examining"
the circles. The video also shows British military helicopters
hovering over recently formed crop circles. One video shows a
military helicopter hovering over a mysterious ball of light
that is right over a newly formed crop circle. The military
claims that the helicopters were on manoeuvres, and the lights
were just reflections. The lights appear to have a diameter of
about one or two feet. They show striking similarities to the
"Foo Fighters" that followed fighter planes into
battle during World War II. Apparently, the British Military
has strong interest in the phenomena.
In Conclusion
The crop circle phenomena is an enigma.
One that has grown from the super market tabloids to a
science, cereology. Countless dollars have been spent by
researchers and their associations in an attempt to find an
answer to this puzzling riddle. A number of people claim to
have found the solution. The Plasma Vortex Theory is a highly
scientific way of explaining the circles. However, it does not
account for the recent mathematically intricate crop patterns
that have appeared. It also does not account for the recent
balls of light that have been witnessed, and filmed, flying
around circles. The theory only claims that a stationary light
would appear above the circle.
It is irrational to believe that crop
circles are faked for publicity or other reasons. Many crop
circles appeared long before the phenomena gained large
recognition from the public and press. Too many circles and
patterns are formed each year in too many countries for them
to have been hoaxed.
I have decided to include some crop
circles photographs for you to either download or just look
at. As you can see they are very spectacular no matter
who made them.
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