What is the Bermuda Triangle?

The Bermuda Triangle is a loosely defined region in the North Atlantic Ocean where a number of ships and airplanes are said to have mysteriously disappeared. Its boundaries are not universally agreed upon, but it generally forms a triangle between Florida, Bermuda, and the Greater Antilles. While reports of unexplained disappearances date back to the mid-19th century, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration states there is no evidence that disappearances occur more frequently here than in other well-traveled ocean areas. Theories for the disappearances range from navigational errors due to the agonic line to powerful rogue waves , as the area is prone to storms and strong currents like the Gulf Stream . Despite its reputation, the Bermuda Triangle is a heavily traveled area, and many of the reported disappearances lack definitive explanations or recovered wreckage.

Where is the Bermuda Triangle located?

The Bermuda Triangle is a loosely defined region in the North Atlantic Ocean . Its boundaries are not universally agreed upon but generally extend from the coast of Florida to Bermuda and the Greater Antilles , forming a triangular shape. The area is estimated to cover between 500,000 and 1,510,000 square miles. Despite its reputation for mysterious disappearances of ships and airplanes, there is no evidence to suggest that these events occur with greater frequency here than in other well-traveled ocean areas.

What are the points or locations that make up the Bermuda Triangle?

The Bermuda Triangle is a loosely defined region in the North Atlantic Ocean. Its boundaries are not universally agreed upon, but it is generally understood to encompass an area roughly bounded by the southeastern coast of the United States, Bermuda, and the Greater Antilles, which include Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. Estimates of its total area vary, ranging from 500,000 to 1,510,000 square miles (1,300,000 to 3,900,000 square kilometers). Despite its reputation, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) states there is no evidence that disappearances occur with greater frequency in this area than in any other comparable region of the ocean.

Why is the Bermuda Triangle considered mysterious?

The Bermuda Triangle is considered mysterious due to numerous reports of ships and airplanes disappearing without a trace within its vaguely defined boundaries in the North Atlantic Ocean. These disappearances, dating back to the mid-19th century, have fueled theories ranging from the supernatural to more plausible explanations like navigational errors due to the agonic line or destruction by rogue waves. However, official sources like the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) state there is no evidence that disappearances occur more frequently in the Bermuda Triangle than in other heavily traveled ocean areas. The region is a busy shipping lane and is subject to frequent storms and strong currents like the Gulf Stream. Despite its reputation, the Bermuda Triangle is not recognized as an official geographic region on world maps.

What types of incidents have been reported in the Bermuda Triangle?

The Bermuda Triangle is a region in the North Atlantic Ocean where over 50 ships and 20 airplanes are reported to have mysteriously disappeared. These incidents date back to the mid-19th century, with some vessels found abandoned and others vanishing without a trace or distress signal. Notably, the USS Cyclops and Flight 19 bombers disappeared within this area, with no wreckage ever found. While theories of supernatural causes exist, geophysical and environmental factors are more likely explanations. These include navigational errors due to the agonic line and the potential for massive rogue waves. Despite its reputation, the Bermuda Triangle does not experience disappearances with greater frequency than other comparable ocean regions.

What scientific explanations have been suggested for the Bermuda Triangle's mysteries?

While fanciful theories abound, scientific explanations for the Bermuda Triangle's mysteries focus on geophysical and environmental factors. One suggestion is that pilots may have miscalculated the agonic line, where magnetic and true north align, leading to navigational errors. Another theory points to "rogue waves," massive waves up to 100 feet high, capable of destroying vessels and leaving no trace. The region is also prone to converging storms and the strong Gulf Stream current, which can cause sudden weather changes. It's important to note that official bodies like NOAA state there's no evidence of disappearances occurring more frequently in the Bermuda Triangle than in other busy ocean areas.

Bermuda Triangle

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Map showing the Bermuda Triangle as a purple triangle in the western Atlantic Ocean, with points at Miami, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Bermuda. Surrounding regions such as the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Turks and Caicos Islands are also labeled.

Bermuda Triangle

area, North Atlantic Ocean

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Last updated

Sep. 25, 2026 •History

Top Questions

What is the Bermuda Triangle?
The Bermuda Triangle is a loosely defined region in the North Atlantic Ocean where a number of ships and airplanes are said to have mysteriously disappeared. Its boundaries are not universally agreed upon, but it generally forms a triangle between Florida, Bermuda, and the Greater Antilles. While reports of unexplained disappearances date back to the mid-19th century, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration states there is no evidence that disappearances occur more frequently here than in other well-traveled ocean areas.

Theories for the disappearances range from navigational errors due to the agonic line to powerful rogue waves, as the area is prone to storms and strong currents like the Gulf Stream. Despite its reputation, the Bermuda Triangle is a heavily traveled area, and many of the reported disappearances lack definitive explanations or recovered wreckage.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Bermuda Triangle
2. What Is Known (and Not Known) About the Bermuda Triangle
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Where is the Bermuda Triangle located?
The Bermuda Triangle is a loosely defined region in the North Atlantic Ocean. Its boundaries are not universally agreed upon but generally extend from the coast of Florida to Bermuda and the Greater Antilles, forming a triangular shape. The area is estimated to cover between 500,000 and 1,510,000 square miles. Despite its reputation for mysterious disappearances of ships and airplanes, there is no evidence to suggest that these events occur with greater frequency here than in other well-traveled ocean areas.
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What are the points or locations that make up the Bermuda Triangle?
The Bermuda Triangle is a loosely defined region in the North Atlantic Ocean. Its boundaries are not universally agreed upon, but it is generally understood to encompass an area roughly bounded by the southeastern coast of the United States, Bermuda, and the Greater Antilles, which include Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. Estimates of its total area vary, ranging from 500,000 to 1,510,000 square miles (1,300,000 to 3,900,000 square kilometers). Despite its reputation, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) states there is no evidence that disappearances occur with greater frequency in this area than in any other comparable region of the ocean.
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Why is the Bermuda Triangle considered mysterious?
The Bermuda Triangle is considered mysterious due to numerous reports of ships and airplanes disappearing without a trace within its vaguely defined boundaries in the North Atlantic Ocean. These disappearances, dating back to the mid-19th century, have fueled theories ranging from the supernatural to more plausible explanations like navigational errors due to the agonic line or destruction by rogue waves.

However, official sources like the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) state there is no evidence that disappearances occur more frequently in the Bermuda Triangle than in other heavily traveled ocean areas. The region is a busy shipping lane and is subject to frequent storms and strong currents like the Gulf Stream. Despite its reputation, the Bermuda Triangle is not recognized as an official geographic region on world maps.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Bermuda Triangle
2. What Is Known (and Not Known) About the Bermuda Triangle
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What types of incidents have been reported in the Bermuda Triangle?
The Bermuda Triangle is a region in the North Atlantic Ocean where over 50 ships and 20 airplanes are reported to have mysteriously disappeared. These incidents date back to the mid-19th century, with some vessels found abandoned and others vanishing without a trace or distress signal. Notably, the USS Cyclops and Flight 19 bombers disappeared within this area, with no wreckage ever found.

While theories of supernatural causes exist, geophysical and environmental factors are more likely explanations. These include navigational errors due to the agonic line and the potential for massive rogue waves. Despite its reputation, the Bermuda Triangle does not experience disappearances with greater frequency than other comparable ocean regions.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Bermuda Triangle
2. What Is Known (and Not Known) About the Bermuda Triangle
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What scientific explanations have been suggested for the Bermuda Triangle's mysteries?
While fanciful theories abound, scientific explanations for the Bermuda Triangle's mysteries focus on geophysical and environmental factors. One suggestion is that pilots may have miscalculated the agonic line, where magnetic and true north align, leading to navigational errors. Another theory points to "rogue waves," massive waves up to 100 feet high, capable of destroying vessels and leaving no trace. The region is also prone to converging storms and the strong Gulf Stream current, which can cause sudden weather changes. It's important to note that official bodies like NOAA state there's no evidence of disappearances occurring more frequently in the Bermuda Triangle than in other busy ocean areas.
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Bermuda Triangle, section of the North Atlantic Ocean off North America in which more than 50 ships and 20 airplanes are said to have mysteriously disappeared. The area, whose boundaries are not universally agreed upon, has a triangular shape that reaches approximately from the Atlantic coast of Florida to Bermuda to the islands known as the Greater Antilles. Estimates of the Bermuda Triangle’s total area range between 500,000 and 1,510,000 square miles (1,300,000 and 3,900,000 square kilometers).

Reports of unexplained occurrences in the region date to the mid-19th century. Some ships were discovered completely abandoned for no apparent reason; others transmitted no distress signals and were never seen or heard from again. Aircraft have been reported and then vanished, and rescue missions are said to have vanished when flying in the area. However, wreckage has not been found, and some of the theories advanced to explain the repeated mysteries have been fanciful.

(Learn more about what’s known—and what’s unknown—about the Bermuda Triangle.)

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wave. ocean. Cresting ocean wave. Large sea waves. storm, hurricane, tropical cyclone

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USS Cyclops — USS *Cyclops*The USS *Cyclops*, pictured here in the Hudson River, New York, in 1911, went missing in the area of the Bermuda Triangle in March 1918. There were no survivors, and the wreck has never been found.

Although theories of supernatural causes for these disappearances abound, geophysical and environmental factors are most likely responsible. One hypothesis is that pilots failed to account for the agonic line—the place at which there is no need to compensate for magnetic compass variation—as they approached the Bermuda Triangle, resulting in significant navigational error and catastrophe. Another popular theory is that the missing vessels were felled by so-called “rogue waves,” which are massive waves that can reach heights of up to 100 feet (30.5 meters) and would theoretically be powerful enough to destroy all evidence of a ship or an airplane. The Bermuda Triangle is located in an area of the Atlantic Ocean where storms from multiple directions can converge, making rogue waves more likely to occur.

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has stated that “There is no evidence that mysterious disappearances occur with any greater frequency in the Bermuda Triangle than in any other large, well-traveled area of the ocean,” and boaters and fliers continue to venture through the triangle without event.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.

Bermuda Triangle

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