Tectonic Strain Theory
Why Study Them?
Anomalous lights that display unusual colors and movements have been observed for centuries. Every culture and historical period have employed different labels to describe and to explain their origins. These labels have ranged from demons to "UFOs"; explanations for their origins have ranged from dragons to extraterrestrial crafts. Charles Fort was the first to associate these "space-time transients" with earthquakes. About 30 years ago John Derr and I realized these phenomena were natural geophysical processes, similar to earthquake lights, that are associated with strain within the earth's crust. We anticipated that quantitative mapping of their places and times of occurrence might help forecast earthquakes. We did not realize that by discovering a natural explanation for these phenomena technical organizations would have another explanation for the appearance of these events upon their surveillance equipment. This explanation would not require the assumptions of either "aliens" or "new weapons" of an enemy.
What We Have Found
Quantitative multivariate analyses have indicated that most unusual balls of light, which occur in temporal clusters over geological regions, occur within weeks to months before an increased release of seismic energy within the area. The typical strength of the correlation the numbers of luminous phenomena and the amount of energy released is around 0.80 for optimal temporal increments of analyses (3-month to 6-month intervals). When the specific equations between UFO reports (the contemporary label for luminous events) and earthquakes in the central U.S.A. between 1950 and 1980 were applied to the 19th century (earthquakes were recorded then), there were predictable peaks in the numbers of luminous events for specific years. Although there were no reports of "UFOs" in the historical newspapers, there were reports of "odd air ships" and "phantom balloons". The massive "flap" of 1897 through several tens of states in the southeastern U.S.A. was followed by one of the largest earthquakes in the region.
Luminous phenomena occur within areas of strain load and release such as near rivers, reservoirs and fault lines. Sudden or excessive changes in water levels (and hence mass) are the most common predisposing factor. The pressures required to generate these phenomena are within the range created by human technology. For example the Derby, Colorado microquake swarm produced by pumping millions of gallons of fluid per month into the upper crust was associated with a "flap" of luminous phenomena that were labelled as "UFOs". Spatial and temporal gradient analysis indicated that luminous events slowly moved "away" from the source of injection. The velocity of this potentially "aseismic" wave moved at about 100 km/month. If these waves are associated with movement of water then the contaminants at the point of injection could be diffusing over hundreds of km although the time period would require several months to years.
The luminous event itself appears to be a powerful energetic source that generates powerful magnetic fields and electromagnetic radiation over a large spectrum. When the energy is within the visible wavelength, it can be seen. If the ball emerges from the ground radon residuals are measurable. If the ball strikes the ground the essential components of the upper crust, silicon, magnesium and sometimes iron materials can be found. The electrical currents induced by these powerful fields are sufficient to affect electronic circuits (lights, power grids, etc) and to directly stimulate the human body. Because of the brain's electrical sensitivity, altered perceptions, tingling sensations and "dream-like" states can be induced. If the current induction is excessive, convulsions occur followed by unconsciousness, posttraumatic amnesia, and reconstructive confabulation. In extreme cases death from cardiac failure or frank carbonization could occur.