1980 06 00 Perceptual and Motor Skills - Vol 50 No 3 - Persinger

Magazine Overview

This document is a scientific article titled "EARTHQUAKE ACTIVITY AND ANTECEDENT UFO REPORT NUMBERS" by Michael A. Persinger, published in Perceptual and Motor Skills in 1980. It investigates a model proposing a link between seismic activity and the occurrence of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs).

Summary of Findings

The study conducted statistical analyses on over 20,000 UFO reports from 1951 to 1965 across six earthquake sectors in the U.S.A. The primary finding was a significant correlation between seismic events in the northeastern, eastern, and central regions and UFO report numbers in the preceding six-month periods. The highest correlation coefficient observed was 0.70, with a lag of -1 (UFO reports preceding seismic events).

Other lags and correlations involving total U.S.A. seismic numbers were not found to be statistically significant. The research specifically tested predictions derived from a model suggesting that geophysical forces, when transiently localized, could produce electromagnetic phenomena similar to those reported in UFO sightings, especially those associated with earthquakes.

Methodology and Data

The analysis utilized monthly total tallies of UFO reports from the UFOCAT data file (Center for UFO Studies) and earthquake data from the U.S. Department of Commerce publications. The study focused on the years 1950-1965 due to a disparity in UFO data sources after 1965. Data were analyzed using 1-, 3-, and 6-month intervals, with Pearson-product correlation coefficients calculated via SPSS programs.

To account for potential extreme values and non-linearities, data were partitioned into low, medium, and high categories, and non-parametric analyses (chi-squared, Kendall's tau) were also performed.

Key Predictions and Results

Several predictions of the model were tested:

1. Increased reports before seismic events: The study found that UFO reports tended to increase more often before seismic events, particularly in the 6-month intervals with a lag of -1.
2. Central U.S.A. correlation: Areas with a history of slow strain accumulation and low-magnitude quakes, like the central U.S.A., were expected to show higher correlations. The study confirmed significant correlations between CEANE (combined eastern, northeastern, and central) seismic events and UFO reports, especially within the CEN sector.
3. Low-level seismic events: Less intense seismic events (Mercalli IV or less) were hypothesized to correlate more strongly with UFO reports than more intense quakes. The results supported this, with the greatest number of significant correlations occurring with UFORs before low-level seismic displays (≤4 Mercalli).

Table 1 shows lag correlations for three- and six-month intervals, highlighting the significant positive correlations for lag -1. Table 2 presents correlation coefficients for seismic events ≤ 4 Mercalli, showing strong correlations for the CEANE region with various sectors. Table 3, for seismic events ≥ 5 Mercalli, shows fewer significant correlations.

Factor analysis indicated two discriminable factors for total earthquakes across the six sectors, but only a single factor for UFORs, suggesting a more unified underlying cause for UFO reports.

Discussion and Limitations

The authors acknowledge that while the variations in seismic events accounted for up to 50% of the variability in UFOR numbers, this is considered significant given the gross nature of UFOR measurements. They suggest that the UFO dilemma, like other complex scientific problems, may be resolved through precise numerical analysis.

The UFOCAT data included different categories of UFOs based on verbal behavior. Type 1 UFOs (stationary or slow-moving) showed one significant correlation, while Type 2 UFOs (with continuous trajectory and higher speeds) showed three significant within-sector correlations with seismic numbers.

Conclusion

The data provide support for crude associations between seismic activity and UFO reports. The study suggests that geophysical stimuli, potentially linked to tectonic strain, may play a role in generating phenomena perceived as UFOs. The research emphasizes the potential of quantitative analysis to unravel complex phenomena.

References

The article cites several sources related to earthquake history, earthquake lights, piezoelectric theories, geophysical models for parapsychological experiences, and UFO phenomena. Key references include works by Coffman & von Hake, Derr, Finkelstein et al., and multiple publications by M. A. Persinger and G. F. Lafrenière.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the exploration of a scientific, geophysical explanation for UFO phenomena, moving beyond purely anecdotal evidence. The editorial stance appears to be one of rigorous scientific inquiry, seeking to apply statistical and analytical methods to understand complex and often mysterious events. The article advocates for precise numerical analyses as a means to resolve scientific enigmas.