NAICCR Report - Crop Circles in 1990

Magazine Overview

This document is a study titled "North American Crop Circles and Related Physical Traces in 1990," conducted by the North American Institute for Crop Circle Research and published in February 1991. It presents a statistical analysis of crop circle phenomena observed in North America during 1990.

Study Findings and Analysis

The study reports that as of January 1, 1991, there were 86 crop circles and/or physical traces associated with UFO sightings reported to UFOROM or communicated through the North American Institute for Crop Circle Research during the 1990 calendar year. These reports represented 45 different cases or locations, with some locations having up to 10 separate circles or traces. The physical effects observed ranged from holes gouged out of the ground to the classic British-style crop circle.

Specifically, 61 unusual ground markings (UGMs) were found in the United States, and 25 were reported in Canada. The disproportionate number in Canada is attributed to the disjointed information network and data collection challenges. The study acknowledges that these figures likely represent only a portion of the total cases.

No evident trend in the characteristics of the UGMs was found, and statistical studies did not suggest a particular unifying explanation. The UGMs were classified into ten categories: Flattened Circle, Flattened Ring, Burned Circle, Burned Ring, Burned and Flattened, Concentric Rings, Vegetation Missing or damaged, Depression, Hole(s), and Other Markings or residue. These categories were not mutually exclusive, and combinations were often found.

The distribution of UGMs by category showed differences between the United States and Canada. For instance, twice as many flattened circles were found in the United States as in Canada, while Canada had significantly more concentric rings. A statistical difference in the direction of swirl within crop circles was also noted, with a slight overabundance of counterclockwise swirls, though this difference was minimal when considering each country's data separately.

Data Collection and Limitations

The report highlights problems in data collection and preparation, noting the difference between the number of rings found and the number of sites involved, as a single site could have multiple circles. Each UGM was treated separately, which, while consistent with British statistical methods, might not fully represent the phenomenon, especially in cases with numerous circles at one location.

The most common crop affected in Canada was wheat, while grassy fields were most affected in the United States. A variety of crops were affected in the US, unlike in Canada. Flattened circles occurred most often in grass, and "burns" were another common UGM. Concentric circles appeared almost exclusively in wheat.

Explanations and Theories

The study discusses various explanations for crop circles. The "hoax" theory is acknowledged, but the report questions how such elaborate circles could be made and why no one has claimed the substantial rewards offered for proving them to be hoaxes. The "wind phenomena" or "vortex" theories are also examined, with questions raised about why circles form in valleys and hillsides if wind is the sole cause, and the constant changes in theoretical models to fit observations.

The possibility of extraterrestrial involvement is explored, with some believing aliens are communicating through pictograms. However, the absence of accompanying UFO sightings at most circle sites is noted as evidence against crop circles being a direct subset of physical trace cases from UFO landings. The report also mentions other associated effects claimed at circle sites, such as unusual noises and malfunctioning equipment, though these were generally not noted at Canadian or American sites in 1990.

The study proposes four basic explanations: Extraterrestrials, Wind Phenomena, Hoaxes, and Other. It suggests that a poststructuralist approach, where no single theory is inherently "wrong" and all may hold some truth, might be the most logical. The conclusion is that no single theory adequately explains all observed effects.

Historical Context and Future Research

The report notes that while British crop circles gained media attention around 1980, records of similar phenomena date back much further, including Ted Phillips' trace catalog with dozens of British cases from the first half of the 20th century. This historical perspective suggests that crop circles are not a recent phenomenon originating in Britain and crossing the Atlantic, but rather have a longer history in both Britain and North America.

The study emphasizes that this is a preliminary analysis of the first "wave" of crop circles in North America and that the coordination of investigations is just beginning. It raises fundamental questions about the relevance of crop circles to UFO research and the difficulty in distinguishing them from other physical trace cases. The report concludes by stating that the following pages contain raw, coded data, a key to the data, and an annotated list of cases similar to the Phillips catalogue.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this document are the analysis of crop circle data from North America in 1990, the classification and statistical examination of these phenomena, and the exploration of various explanations including hoaxes, natural causes, and extraterrestrial hypotheses. The editorial stance appears to be one of objective inquiry, acknowledging the complexity of the phenomenon and the limitations of current data and theories. It encourages further research and a comprehensive historical perspective, suggesting that the phenomenon is likely multifaceted and not easily explained by a single cause.

This document is an issue of UFO DATA MAGAZINE, Volume 1, Issue 1, dated 1990. It primarily functions as a detailed catalog of Unidentified Ground Markings (UGMs), commonly known as crop circles, that occurred in 1990. The magazine provides a comprehensive 'Coding Key for Crop Circle Data' which serves as a legend for interpreting the subsequent entries. This key explains abbreviations and codes used for date, location (including province/state and country), circle/ring number, UFO sightings at the site, crop affected, dimensions (major and minor axis of circles/rings, width of rings), type of physical trace, swirl direction, and whether samples were taken or tests performed.

Annotated Listing of 1990 UGM Cases

The core of the magazine is an 'Annotated Listing of 1990 UGM Cases,' which details 45 specific incidents. Each entry is numbered and includes a date (primarily in YYMMDD format), location (city/town, state/province, country), and a description of the phenomenon. The descriptions vary in detail but often include:

• Formation Type: Circles, concentric rings, spirals, ovals, 'pictographs,' 'backwards question marks,' holes, craters, and bald patches.
• Dimensions: Diameters of circles and rings, width of rings, and overall affected area.
• Crop/Ground Material: Wheat, oat fields, grassy fields, sorghum fields, dry lake beds, gravel driveways, and tall grass.
• Characteristics: Swirled patterns (clockwise or counterclockwise), flattened grain, burned areas, depressed grass, stunted growth, pulverized gravel, and 'woven' grain.
• Associated Phenomena: Some entries note previous UFO sightings in the area, glowing lights, loud noises, or bright lights reported by residents.
• Sources: Information is attributed to various sources, including individuals like Stan Gordon, Lucius Farish, Grant Cameron, John Salter, Chad Deetkin, Michael Strainic, Edith Ashley, Jeff Harland, Miles Phillips, and organizations such as MUFON, UFOROM, RCMP, and CBWFT-TV.

Notable cases include:

• Mars, PA (900308): Nine oval markings with depressed grass rings, preceded by a pink glowing light.
• Finleyville, PA (900517): Two concentric rings in a grassy field, not present two days prior, with specific dimensions for outer ring, middle ring, and inner circle.
• Warsaw, IN (900627): Ten circles with counterclockwise spiral patterns found on a subdivision lot.
• Alvord Desert, OR (900810): A massive 'pictograph' of a 'sriyantra' over 400 m in diameter, discovered by pilots.
• Williston, ND (900799): Six 'burned circles' where UFOs were reportedly seen during the creation period.
• Leola, SD (900807): A unique 'backwards question mark' marking with surrounding rectangular marks.
• St. Norbert, MB (900901): A circular marking that was later admitted to be a hoax by a farmhand.

Illustrations are provided for Case 2 (Finleyville, PA) showing concentric rings, and Case 9 (Leola, S.Dak.) depicting a spiral pattern with rectangular elements.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the physical manifestations of unexplained phenomena in agricultural and natural landscapes, primarily crop circles. The magazine adopts a data-driven approach, presenting a catalog of reported events with specific details and sources. The editorial stance appears to be one of documentation and investigation, providing a resource for researchers and enthusiasts interested in UGM phenomena. The emphasis on detailed coding and sourcing suggests a commitment to rigorous record-keeping within the field of ufology. The inclusion of associated phenomena like lights and UFO sightings indicates an interest in the broader context of these ground markings.

This document is the first issue of "UFO Casebook," a publication dedicated to documenting and illustrating UFO sightings. The issue presents two specific cases with accompanying drawings, providing a visual representation of the reported phenomena without extensive narrative details.

Case 17: Northside, Saskatchewan

This section details a UFO sighting from Northside, Saskatchewan. The accompanying illustration depicts a complex circular object characterized by concentric rings and radial lines, resembling a target or a coil. This central object is connected by a curved line to two smaller, distinct circular objects. The visual representation suggests a structured and possibly technological craft, though no further information regarding the date, duration, or witnesses of this event is provided in this excerpt.

Case 14: Chicora, Pennsylvania

The second case presented is from Chicora, Pennsylvania. The illustration for this case is simpler, showing three large, overlapping circles. Each circle contains dashed lines, which could represent internal structures, markings, or a specific pattern observed by the witness. The overlapping nature of the circles suggests a formation or a single object with multiple components. As with Case 17, this excerpt lacks contextual details such as the date of the sighting or any accompanying witness testimony.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this issue is the presentation of visual evidence of UFO encounters through case studies. The editorial stance appears to be focused on cataloging and illustrating these events, leaving the interpretation and further investigation to the reader or subsequent publications. The use of simple, line-based drawings emphasizes the visual aspect of the reports, serving as a primary means of conveying the nature of the observed phenomena.