The History of Crop Circles
The existence of crop circles was reported in the 1970s in the agrarian fields of southern England. Around 90% of the reports of crop circle sightings come from the United Kingdom, making it an excellent area for the study of crop circles. Crop circles began to receive wider attention from scientists and the media in the 1980's. Over the years, several theories have been developed, yet no one has come up with a concrete answer as to why crop circles exist.
The Architecture of Crop Circles
Crop circles are developed with an interesting geometry. All crop circles utilize various geometric theorems, and when these theorems are studied in greater depth, a numerical relationship between all the shapes and patterns is present. Gerald Hawkins, a man who has studied crop circles for several years, discovered that by using the principles of Euclidean geometry he could discover the relationships between the shapes and patterns in any crop circle. Also peculiar, about the crop circles is that the stalks of corn are always perfectly flattened to the ground, but never broken.
What Scientists think about Crop Circles
Many scientists have different theories on why crop circles exist. The largest theory is crop circles are developed through the landing of UFOs and alien creatures; not just a popular Halloween costume, this theory supports the belief in life beyond Earth. Other theories include: hoaxes by pranksters, the Gaia Theory, the Ley Line theory, Electro-Magnetic Fields, the Whirlwind, Music, and the Plasma-Vortex Theory.
The Gaia Theory suggests the Earth is communicating with us through the crop circles. The Ley Line theory suggests phenomenon all follow lines based on energy currents running under the Earth, even miles apart from each other and equates crop circles to Stone Henge. The Electro-Magnetic Fields theory suggests crop circles increase the Earth's magnetic field by 120%. The Whirlwind theory maintains that as tornadoes and other forms of weather come through, they cause the crops to bend over, therefore creating the patterns we see in crop circles. The Music theory suggests crop circles are nothing but a visual representation of sound, or music. The Plasma-Vortex theory is based on the physical changes found in the area of crop circles.
What is so amazing about all of these different theories scientists have developed is that each one of them has some form of evidence of scientific study to support it.
More Information on Crop Circles
Crop Circle Secrets offers extensive information on the history of crop circles from their beginning in the 1970's to today. Photographs of some of the most incredible crop circles are provided.
Crop Circles: Artworks or Alien Signs?: National Geographic offers its take on whether or not crop circles are works of art or a sign of alien life.
Crop Circle Theories: The University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee offers extensive information on various crop circle theories and the science behind them. Take a look at pictures of crop circles and see a logical explanation for their existence.
California State University, Sacramento Professor Matt McCormick offers a research paper discussing paranormal hoaxes, including crop circles.
Ken Amis, of Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania offers what he believes to be the Truth about Crop Circles.
Crop Circles: MIT's most ambitious hack?: MIT discusses their participation in a documentary on crop circles. Students built their own crop circle for the sake of the show.
Crop Circle Presentation: Wake Forest University in North Carolina offers a PowerPoint presentation on crop circles and aliens.
A student at Louisiana State University offers information on why she believes “we are not alone.” A research paper on the existence of aliens (and therefore crop circles from these aliens) is presented.
Article written by Janice D. McDonald