What are UFO ‘waves’ or ‘flaps’ and when have they occurred?

UFO “waves” or “flaps” are periods of unusually intense UFO activity concentrated in specific geographic regions over defined time periods. These phenomena, characterized by dramatic increases in sighting reports, often involve multiple witnesses, various object types, and sometimes physical evidence. Understanding these waves is crucial for identifying patterns and potentially predicting future occurrences.

Defining Waves and Flaps

Terminology

Wave vs. Flap: Often used interchangeably but subtle differences:

Wave Characteristics:

Longer duration (months to years)
Wider geographic spread
Gradual build and decline
Multiple sighting types
Media amplification effect

Flap Characteristics:

Shorter duration (days to weeks)
More localized area
Intense activity burst
Similar sighting types
Rapid onset and cessation

Quantitative Criteria

What Constitutes a Wave?: Researchers generally agree on:

Minimum Requirements:

Report Increase: 300%+ above baseline
Geographic Cluster: Defined region
Time Concentration: Clear start/end
Multiple Witnesses: Not isolated
Media Coverage: Public awareness

Major Historical Waves

The Mystery Airship Wave (1896-1897)

First Modern Wave: Pre-airplane era phenomenon:

Characteristics:

November 1896 - May 1897
California to Midwest progression
Cigar-shaped craft reports
Searchlight beams
Occupant sightings claimed

Significance:

Predates human flight
Newspaper documentation extensive
National phenomenon
Technology beyond era
Pattern established

The Scandinavian Ghost Rockets (1946)

Post-War Mystery: Northern European phenomenon:

Wave Details:

February - December 1946
2,000+ reports
Primarily Sweden
Cigar/rocket shapes
Military investigation

Unique Aspects:

Radar tracking attempts
Lake crash reports
Soviet missile theory
International concern
Government engagement

The American Wave of 1947

Modern Era Begins: Kenneth Arnold triggers explosion:

Wave Progression:

June 24: Arnold sighting
June-July: Nationwide reports
Peak July 4-11
Thousands of sightings
International spread

Notable Events:

Roswell incident
Military involvement
Government projects initiated
Media frenzy
Cultural transformation

The European Wave of 1954

Massive Continental Event: Unprecedented European activity:

Wave Statistics:

August - November peak
France: 1,000+ reports
Italy: Major activity
Europe-wide phenomenon
Landing cases numerous

Characteristics:

Small beings reported
Physical trace cases
Vehicle interference
Military encounters
Government concern

The American Wave of 1957

Technology Correlation: Space age beginning:

Wave Features:

Levelland vehicle cases
November 2-3 peak
Electromagnetic effects
Multiple states affected
Military scrambles

Context:

Sputnik launches
Nuclear testing
Cold War tensions
Technology fears
Media coverage intense

The 1965-1967 Worldwide Wave

Largest Global Wave: Peak UFO activity period:

Geographic Scope:

United States
South America
Europe
Australia
Asia reports

Key Events:

Exeter, New Hampshire
Michigan “swamp gas”
Westall, Australia
Multiple landing cases
Congressional interest

The 1973 American Wave

Humanoid Encounters: High strangeness peak:

Wave Characteristics:

October peak month
Southeast concentration
Pascagoula abduction
Humanoid sightings
Physical effects

Unique Elements:

Creature reports
Multiple abductions
Police involvement
Panic reactions
Media saturation

The Hudson Valley Wave (1982-1986)

Boomerang Phenomenon: New York/Connecticut events:

Wave Profile:

Massive triangular/boomerang craft
Thousands of witnesses
Multiple sighting nights
Video documentation
Police reports numerous

Explanations Attempted:

Ultralight aircraft theory
Mass misidentification
Psychological contagion
Military operations
None satisfactory

The Belgian Wave (1989-1991)

Government Transparency: European military engagement:

Unprecedented Features:

F-16 scrambles
Radar confirmation
Government openness
Scientific study
Triangle craft focus

Legacy Impact:

Investigation model
Military cooperation
Public engagement
International attention
Ongoing mystery

The Phoenix Lights Wave (1997)

Mass Witnessing Event: Single night, thousands observe:

March 13, 1997:

V-shaped craft
Mile-wide estimates
Governor witness
Military flares explanation
Controversy continues

Wave Extension:

Continued sightings
Regional spread
Media coverage
Anniversary events
Cultural impact

The Illinois Triangle Wave (2000)

Police Officer Encounters: Multi-town phenomenon:

January 5, 2000:

Multiple police witnesses
Radio communications
Triangular craft
Silent movement
Official reports

Significance:

Professional witnesses
Documentation quality
Inter-agency coordination
Media coverage
No explanation

Modern Military Wave (2004-Present)

Pentagon Disclosure Era: Military encounters revealed:

Key Events:

2004: USS Nimitz
2014-2015: USS Roosevelt
2019: Navy confirmation
2020: Pentagon release
Ongoing: Daily encounters

Unique Aspects:

Sensor data
Official acknowledgment
Pilot testimony
Government investigation
Paradigm shift

Geographic Distribution

Continental Patterns

Wave Concentrations: Certain regions more active:

North America:

United States dominates
Great Lakes region
Southwest desert
Eastern seaboard
Pacific Northwest

Europe:

France historically active
Belgium concentrated
UK steady activity
Scandinavia periodic
Mediterranean coastal

South America:

Brazil leading
Argentina active
Chile military cases
Peru historical
Venezuela recent

National Characteristics

Country-Specific Patterns: Cultural influences apparent:

United States:

Technology focus
Military involvement
Media amplification
Government denial
Cultural integration

France:

Scientific approach
Government study
Rural concentration
Landing cases
Humanoid encounters

Brazil:

Military openness
Violent encounters
Remote areas
Indigenous involvement
Government files

Temporal Analysis

Duration Patterns

Wave Lifecycles: Typical progression observed:

Standard Pattern:

Precursor Events: Isolated reports
Trigger Incident: High-profile case
Escalation: Rapid increase
Peak Activity: Maximum reports
Decline: Gradual decrease
Aftermath: Sporadic reports

Seasonal Correlations

Annual Patterns: Certain months more active:

Peak Periods:

July-August: Summer maximum
October-November: Autumn surge
March-April: Spring increase
December-January: Winter minimum

Trigger Theories

External Triggers

Proposed Catalysts: What starts waves?:

Environmental Factors:

Geological Activity: Earthquake correlation
Solar Activity: Flare connections
Atmospheric Conditions: Weather patterns
Magnetic Anomalies: Field fluctuations
Cosmic Events: Astronomical alignments

Human Factors: Psychological/cultural elements:

Social Dynamics:

Media coverage influence
Anxiety periods
Technology milestones
Military conflicts
Cultural expectations

Intrinsic Triggers

Phenomenon-Based: UFO-centric explanations:

Possible Factors:

Surveillance missions
Technology testing
Seasonal presence
Response patterns
Unknown agenda

Wave Characteristics

Common Elements

Cross-Wave Patterns: Consistent features:

Universal Traits:

Credible Witnesses: Professional observers
Multiple Sightings: Not isolated
Object Variety: Different types
Physical Effects: EM interference
Official Response: Government involvement

Unique Features

Wave-Specific Elements: Each wave distinctive:

Distinguishing Factors:

Dominant craft shape
Behavior patterns
Witness experiences
Evidence types
Cultural impact

Investigation Challenges

Data Collection

Documentation Issues: Studying waves difficult:

Common Problems:

Reporting delays
Witness reluctance
Media distortion
Official suppression
Resource limitations

Analysis Difficulties

Pattern Recognition: Identifying true waves:

Confounding Factors:

Media contagion
Misidentification clusters
Hoax contamination
Psychological factors
Retrospective bias

Modern Wave Tracking

Technology Advantages

21st Century Tools: Improved wave detection:

New Capabilities:

Social Media: Real-time reporting
Smartphone Cameras: Instant documentation
Flight Tracking: Aircraft elimination
Satellite Data: Overview capability
AI Analysis: Pattern recognition

Prediction Attempts

Forecasting Waves: Can we predict flaps?:

Current Status:

No reliable prediction
Pattern studies ongoing
Correlation searches
Statistical modeling
Limited success

Conclusion

UFO waves and flaps represent:

Concentrated Phenomena: Intense activity periods
Global Occurrence: Worldwide distribution
Historical Consistency: Patterns repeat
Cultural Impact: Society-changing events
Scientific Opportunity: Research possibilities

Major waves include:

1896-97 Mystery Airships
1947 American Wave
1954 European Wave
1989-91 Belgian Wave
2004-Present Military Wave

Common characteristics:

Exponential report increases
Geographic concentration
Credible witnesses
Media amplification
Official involvement

Theories vary:

Environmental triggers
Social contagion
Intrinsic cycles
Unknown factors
Multiple causes

Modern implications:

Better documentation
Real-time tracking
Pattern analysis
Prediction attempts
Understanding evolution

UFO waves remain one of the most intriguing aspects of the phenomenon, demonstrating that whatever causes these aerial mysteries, it operates in patterns that suggest purpose and intelligence. Whether representing surveillance, communication attempts, or something beyond current understanding, waves provide our best opportunity to study the phenomenon systematically. As technology improves and stigma decreases, future waves may finally provide the concentrated data needed to solve one of humanity’s most persistent mysteries.