The cause or causes of such phenomena are still unknown, although 

 the luminescence created appears to be related directly to luminous 

 organisms in the water. However, some theories have been advanced to 

 explain these formations. Kalle (1960) has suggested that these 

 appearances result from the action of submarine shock waves upon bio- 

 luminescent organisms. These shock waves, originating from submarine 

 earthquakes, impinge upon bioluminescent organisms and cause them to 

 light up. The light pattern perceived is due to the interference 

 pattern created by shock waves and reflected waves. When in phase, 

 the luminescence formed is intense; when out of phase, it is weak. 

 Most of these formations have been observed in regions of shallow 

 water where such interference patterns can occur. According to Kalle, 

 the pattern created appears as a wheel or some closely allied appear- 

 ance. He also indicates that "exploding" luminescence, noted most 

 often in deep waters, is due to the arrival of submarine shock waves 

 at the surface. The pattern occurring resembles a bubble of light 

 which rises from the depths, bursts at the surface, and rapidly ex- 

 pands into a large circle of luminescence. 



Nicol (1961) expressed doubts about this theory, giving as his 

 reasons the patchiness of the distribution of bioluminescent organisms 

 and the fatigue experienced by these organisms after continual stim- 

 ulation. Both the symmetry and duration of the pattern would be 

 greatly affected, the wheel and wave would be broken in appearance, 

 and the intensity would gradually lessen after each shock. This 

 occurrence has not been reported. 



Hilder (1962) advanced the theory that "phosphorescent wheels" 

 were caused by electromagnetic waves, such as would occur in magnetic 

 fields. The distortion of the earth's magnetic field caused by a ship 

 moving through a region, magnetic anomalies created by sunspots, and 

 the ultrahigh frequency of radar are all implicated by him in the 

 development of wheels or waves. He reported an effect in the Solomon 

 Islands area in March 1955 in which luminescence of the sea was a 

 function of the radar emission. When the radar was turned on, the 

 luminescence appeared; when the radar was turned off, the luminescence 

 weakened considerably. Except for one other report, no other obser- 

 vations, even dixring conditions of total blackout, have been reported 

 concerning the above phenomenon. Mcol's argument is relevant to this 

 theory also. 



Both light and sound waves have been implicated in the stimulation 

 of bioluminescence. The sound emitted by ship engines has been corre- 

 lated with the pulsations of light observed, also, observers have noted 

 that a beam of light on the surface of the sea activated biolumines- 

 cence. A bright green streak may be noted as the beam from a flash- 

 light is moved across the surface of the sea. When the light is 

 turned off, the bioluminescence disappears after a few seconds. In 

 still other situations, pinpoints of light, much like the end of a 

 lighted cigarette, flashed on when a light beam passed over and 

 immediately disappeared as the light was removed. 



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