PSICAN - Paranormal Studies and Inquiry Canada

UFO Sightings, Visitations, and Related Experiences

Written by Chris Rutkowski

Article Index

The following is a long treatise and analysis of the Tectonic Strain Theory. The TST is widely purported to explain UFOs, ghosts, psychic events, religious ecstacy, spontaneous combustion and pretty well anything else you might name. Literally hundreds of papers have appeared in scientific journals, assuming its real existence and reality. However, there have been very few critical works about the TST, and when such works have surfaced, the critics have been dismissed with commentary or discussion about how complicated the issue is and why it cannot be quantified easily. In short, its proponents appear to invoke almost identical reasons as defendants of the reality of psychic phenomena, and this in itself raises concern among some researchers. This paper was originally written as a geophysical thesis in 1983, and although decades old, is still relevant as a critical look at the TST which is still being invoked as a scientific explanation of purportedly paranormal phenomena.


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The Tectonic Strain Theory of Geophysical Luminosities by Chris A. Rutkowski Winnipeg, Manitoba, 1984 (c) Chris A. Rutkowski, 1984

Abstract A new hypothesis, explaining unidentified luminosities, has been proposed which has received wide attention and general acceptance. It incorporates both geophysical and physiological mechanisms in an attempt to explain the wide variety of characteristics of the phenomenon. This study examines the feasibility of the theory from an objective standpoint, and tests the tenability of the interrelations of its interdisciplinary mechanisms.

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CONTENTS Chapter Page

I. INTRODUCTION

II. THE TECTONIC STRAIN THEORY AND UFOS

Crustal Strain

Strain-Produced Radiation

Luminosity From Electromagnetic Discharge

UFOs as Fracture-Related Luminosities

Electromagnetic Effects on the Human System

Temporal Lobe Experiences

III. STATISTICAL CORRELATIONS OF THE TST AND UFO OBSERVATIONS

IV. ANALYSIS OF THE TST

Energy Constraints

Geographical Implications of UFO Sightings

Earthquake Lights and Dilatancy Hypotheses

Other Considerations

 

V. OTHER TST-RELATED THEORIES

Vestigia

Earth Lights

VI. CONCLUSIONS

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Appendix A