Tidal Monitoring of a Barrier Breach: The Mysterious Case of the Unidentified Flying Object (UFO)

Magazine Overview

This document is a section from the "Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 101, 2020," titled "Tidal Monitoring of a Barrier Breach: The Mysterious Case of the Unidentified Flying Object (UFO)." The article is authored by Brian Greenwood and Robin G.D. Davidson-Arnott, affiliated with the University of Toronto Scarborough and the University of Guelph, respectively. The publication date is indicated as 2020.

Introduction to the Research

The paper begins by describing the common phenomenon of barrier island breaches and their subsequent healing, noting that some develop into permanent tidal inlets while others close over several years. The study focuses on North Inlet in the Kouchibouguac barrier system in Northumberland Strait, New Brunswick, Canada. This inlet opened in the winter of 1970-71 following the closure of a previous inlet to its north and was monitored until its gradual closure. The research was part of a larger program funded by the Geological Survey of Canada and the National Research Council of Canada, investigating the coastal dynamics of the Kouchibouguac system. The monitoring, conducted each summer between 1973 and 1976, involved a small team of graduate and undergraduate assistants.

The objective was to monitor general topographic changes, particularly the tidal inlet cross-section and associated changes in the tidal prism. This required at least three people to obtain continuous measurements of flow dynamics over full spring tidal cycles. The research design aimed to observe progressive changes in inlet morphology and tidal amplitude and current speed within the inlet neck, influenced by net southward littoral transport. The tidal regime in Kouchibouguac Bay is mixed semi-diurnal, becoming diurnal at spring tide, necessitating 24-hour measurements of the tidal prism. The fieldwork often occurred overnight and into the early morning. The researchers faced challenges related to limited personnel and equipment in the early 1970s, and the experimental conditions were subject to weather and the developing status of the Kouchibouguac National Park.

Socio-Political Context and Fieldwork Challenges

The research was conducted amidst considerable conflict between local Acadian residents, primarily fishers, and the government over historical access rights to certain areas. Expropriation orders from federal and provincial governments and relocation of residents to outside settlements created a tense environment. On one occasion in July 1973, the research team was confronted by a local resident and fishermen who questioned their presence. Despite assurances that they were merely university researchers, they were threatened with fish filleting knives. Discretion led them to leave the area and return only after a truce was negotiated weeks later. Nevertheless, the team soldiered on, having obtained permission to work within the park, and completed major consultancy reports for the Park in 1976 and 1977.

The strategy for monitoring the tidal prism involved stringing a rope across the narrowest inlet cross-section, anchored on both sides. This rope was marked at 10-meter intervals to guide depth and velocity measurements taken every 90 minutes throughout the tidal cycle. It also served as an anchorage for their small aluminum boat. Measurements of water depth and horizontal velocity at 0.2 and 0.8 of the total depth were taken using a hand-held Ott current meter. The rope remained in place between measurements. An incident occurred early one morning when a boat emerged rapidly from the lagoon, its outboard motor kicking up out of the water and eliciting unpleasant language from its occupants.

Aerial Photography and Inlet Morphology

Figure 1 presents vertical aerial photographs of North Inlet from 1975 and 1977. The 1975 image shows the extensive progradation of the northern updrift side of the inlet and the re-orientation of the channel through the flood delta. By 1977, the ebb delta was completely destroyed, and a wave-formed nearshore bar had re-established. Figure 2 provides oblique color and black and white aerial photographs from 1973, illustrating the general morphology of the inlet, including the Kouchibouguac Lagoon, marsh areas, North Inlet, and North Kouchibouguac Beach, as well as the inlet neck where dynamics were studied. Features like the flood delta, ebb delta, neck, and swash platform are labeled.

The Unexplained Aerial Phenomenon

The most intriguing observation occurred during a 24-hour monitoring episode on the night of July 1, 1973, which was Canada Day. The weather was clear and moonless with little wind. Brian Greenwood, Robin Davidson-Arnott, and Peter Hale were assisting Pat Keay with her M.Sc. thesis research. While in the boat, taking measurements, one of the researchers (BG) noticed what appeared to be a firefly. However, as they moved to subsequent stations, it became evident that the observed light was not a firefly. It was an extremely bright, white light in the sky to the south, appearing at a significant distance and elevation. The team continued to observe the light for at least an hour.

Several strange movements of the light were noted:

• Extremely rapid displacements in position, both horizontally and vertically, appearing almost instantaneous.
• The light appeared stationary at times for minutes on end, then moved almost instantly to a new position.
• On one occasion, the light dropped close to the horizon and intensified rapidly, giving the appearance of moving towards them at a rapid pace.

Analysis and Potential Explanations

It was noted that there was no sound associated with the phenomenon, and the light moved erratically. Winds were blowing from the southwest at less than 12 mph. Commercial airliners were also observed, emitting sound and moving steadily across the sky with identifiable lights, clearly distinguishable from the observed phenomenon. The light phenomenon lasted for at least one hour.

The researchers posed the question: "What could this light phenomenon be?" They considered several possible explanations:

1. Meteorological balloons: While many UFOs are attributed to reflections from helium balloons, the rapid and erratic movements, especially angular displacements, and lack of strong winds made this explanation unlikely.
2. Exhaust of a Harrier Jump Jet: Although Harrier jets can hover and move rapidly, Canada has never owned such jets, and the intensity of the white light did not seem to mimic jet exhaust.
3. Light reflected from a helicopter: Helicopters can remain stationary, but it was unlikely they could mimic the speed of horizontal translation. Additionally, with no moon, another light source would be needed.
4. Commercial airlines: As noted, commercial jet aircraft were observed and clearly identified, differing from the phenomenon.

Following the experience, the researchers contacted the Canadian Forces Base in Chatham, New Brunswick, which operated CF-101 Voodoos jets and CH-118 Huey helicopters. However, the base reported no knowledge of unusual sky phenomena on that night.

Conclusions

The phenomenon observed on Canada Day 1973 remains unexplained to the researchers. The article notes that sightings of unusual phenomena, often involving bright lights, are not uncommon in New Brunswick and the Maritimes. For instance, in 2007, 24 UFO sightings were reported in New Brunswick, and Canada reported a total of 836 unexplained phenomena sightings in 2007. The authors humorously conclude that if it was a UFO, they were fortunate not to be abducted by aliens, although the aliens might have been interested in their research on tidal inlet dynamics.

Literature Cited

The document includes a comprehensive list of cited literature, primarily focusing on coastal research, barrier islands, and tidal inlet dynamics, with several entries related to UFO reports. Key cited works include those by Bryant (1971), Davidson-Arnott (1975, 2020), Dittman and Rutkowski (2014), Greenwood (1976, 1977), Hale (1975), Keay (1975), and Mittler (1981).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are coastal geomorphology, specifically the dynamics of barrier islands and tidal inlets, and the investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of rigorous scientific inquiry, applying established coastal science methodologies while also acknowledging and attempting to investigate anomalous observations like the UFO sighting. The journal presents a blend of detailed scientific research with intriguing, unexplained events, suggesting an open-minded yet evidence-based approach to unusual phenomena within the context of coastal environments.