Contrary to what you know, the Bermuda Triangle isn't the only location that's been deemed as "dangerous" by both sailors and pilots. The Dragon's Triangle is a stretch of the sea just off the coast of Japan that has collected a myriad of stories, myths, and seemingly many legends throughout the years. Given the area's turbulent history when it comes to disappearances and strange phenomena, it can often be challenging to separate the myth from the fact. Amidst various studies done up until the 1950s, scientists gathered plenty of information, but have no definitive reason for why this area, in particular, sees so much action.

Fortunately, we do have scientific proof of why certain anomalies happen which is helpful in figuring out how to avoid future tragedies. There may never be a direct cause that is nailed down for why so many have set off and met their demise before returning, but we do have a hint of what goes on in these mysterious waters. In this article, we'll explore everything from sea monsters to underwater volcanoes and everything in between. Many have speculated, but only some theories have been hailed as proof-positive. It's easy to imagine how many stories have been told about this watery graveyard and it's our job to separate the legitimate from the ones you're better off saving for a fiction novel.

25 The Triangle Is Actually Part Of Several "Dangerous" Seafarer Locations

If you looked at a globe and traced an imaginary line across the center, this is where you'd find not one, but two ill-fated triangular sections of water. The Bermuda Triangle and the Dragon's Triangle, though both sit across the world from each other, follow the same horizontal line that splits both hemispheres. One sits in the Atlantic and one in the Pacific, but if you follow that line, you'll inevitably end up in the middle of both danger zones.

24 It's Within Very Close Range Of Tokyo

It's surprising to note that the Dragon's Triangle is only roughly 100 kilometers away from Tokyo, which is, of course, a major city. The closest landmass to it is Miyake, which is a small island off the coast of Japan. However, since the exact beginning and end of this triangle has never really been established, there's no knowing for sure where it sits. Some claim that the triangle is within close proximity to Iwa Jima as well, which would explain why a volcanic activity is at the root of many stories.

23 It Goes By The "Pacific Bermuda Triangle" As Well

As you read earlier, both this triangle and the one found in the Atlantic go hand-in-hand as far as casualties and mysterious disappearances. While the Dragon's Triangle may not have as much popularity as the one dually noted on the opposite side of the world, it's no less daunting or dangerous. In fact, the Devil's Sea has a history just as long if not longer than its Atlantic counterpart, making it just as much a part of nature's biggest mysteries.

22 Its Rough Waters Have Earned It The Term "Vile Vortex"

This is not the only vile vortex in the world. There are, in fact, 12 in total that were given these titles by a Scottish biologist named Ivan T. Sanderson. He noted that these vortices happened to fall in areas with electromagnetic anomalies were much higher and happened in much more frequent rates than the rest of the world. He was also able to draw a pattern between these sites, connected them with somewhat of a diamond grid. Each of these locations has an influx of mixed water temperatures that cause their electromagnetic phenomena.

21 Notable Maritime Events Date All The Way Back To 1274 AD

Japan was to be invaded several times during the 1200s and two of those attempts, by Kublai Khan and Genghis Khan, were foiled via none other than the Dragon's Triangle. Due to awful conditions, the sea claimed the lives of 40,000 crew members. They also lost their ships in the process and both were due to seemingly unnatural typhoons in the area. Any further attempts were halted after the realization that these seas were, in fact, merciless to those who traveled them.

20 The Story Of Kaio Maru No. 5

The Kaio Maru was the infamous research ship, sent out by Japan to explore the legends about this unexplained body of water. During their investigation, one of their missions was to unearth what had happened to the previous ships that Japan had recently lost in this triangle. In 1952, they set out to sea but unfortunately never returned. The crew consisted of 31 members and sadly none of them were ever found, even though the shipwreck was discovered shortly after. It's unclear what brought the ship down in the first place.

19 The Triangle Is Conveniently Located In The "Devil's Sea"

With all of the stories the Dragon's Triangle has collected over the years, it doesn't come as a surprise that it's located in the appropriately named "Devil's Sea". This area is no stranger to horrific storms and unexplained weather, as well as natural water phenomena that seemingly come out of nowhere. Things such as rogue waves and even maelstroms -- naturally-occurring whirlpools -- have been reported by sailors. These would explain why so many have set out in good weather and suddenly disappeared without a trace.

18 Volcanic Activity Has Been Noted There

In going back to the point about Iwo Jima, the question of volcanic activity has been posed in regard to the strange events that happen in the Devil's Sea. Underwater volcanoes, also known as sub-sea volcanoes, are capable of spewing lava out above the ocean's surface. They can also be responsible for a significant increase in seismic activity, which would wreak havoc on the water above. This could potentially cause the rogue waves that some have reported and could attribute to the strange legends told about "dragons".

17 Currents May Have Something To Do With Ships In Peril

The constant influx of both hot and cold water could potentially explain certain phenomena that have been witnessed in this triangle. Biologist Ivan Sanderson was the first to hypothesize that these changes in the sea's temperatures could lead to electromagnetic disturbances. This would essentially limit a ship's travel and if it were to become caught between these two currents, their compasses, and other navigation equipment, could become compromised. While there is no definitive proof of this, it's likely the cause for many disappearances that were previously unexplained.

16 Methane Gas Could Cause Volatile Underwater Activity

There are plenty of occurrences that happen under the ocean's surface that we may not necessarily be aware of until it's too late. Methane gas forms in large quantities on the seabed referred to as methane hydrates. When these crystal-like structures eventually explode and are released, they float to the top as bubbles and sit on the surface. This causes changes in buoyancy and has been known to sink a ship without leaving any trace of evidence. Imagine blowing bubbles through a straw into a glass of water -- This is the effect methane has on the surface.

15 Japan Has Lost Plenty Of Their Own Ships To This Area In Particular

In the 1940s through to the 1950s, Japan launched several ships that had plotted a course through the Dragon's Triangle. These ships never returned to Japan and had seemingly vanished without a trace. These ships were lost along with fishing boats and eventually prompted the investigation by Kaio Maru No. 5, which we already know never returned and had joined the fate of the other ships. This was an enormous loss to Japan and that would eventually be the last effort put forth to discover what really happened.

14 Japan's Government Deemed The Area "Unsafe"

After the decade of lost ships, the disappearance of the Kaio Maru No. 5 crew was the last straw for Japan. They decided that no more lives would be lost in an effort to investigate this unexplained string of events, and deemed the area completely unsafe. They also said it was too dangerous for transport as well as sailing, and efficiently ended all of their efforts to explore the area. Any investigations that were still open were immediately closed, their work halted to prevent any other ships from falling to the same fate.

13 13. Electromagnetic Pull Is Stronger In Areas Such As These

Over 700 people have lost their lives or gone missing because of the Dragon's Triangle and it seems that we're much closer to solving this mystery than we were decades ago. This area, along with the other 11 vortices found around the world, has been noted as having a much stronger pull than the rest of the world's oceans. This is due to the electromagnetic currents but is also attributed to the fact that this area is a volcanic hot spot. The combination of fierce currents and volcanic activity causing seismic reactions, including earthquakes, make it a nightmare for seafarers.

You may have been wondering where the Dragon's Triangle got its name and that's due to the Chinese origin of the stories that go with it. In 1000 BC and the years following, ancient people believed that dragons and sea serpents were very real. These local legends eventually evolved into an explanation for the "fire" they witness coming out of the ocean, which was more likely a subsea volcano in the process of erupting. However, although it would seem violent from those witnessing it from above, it has nothing to do with an ancient monster.

11 Additionally, Extraterrestrial Life Has Also Been Suggested

Conspiracy theories will always be around to explain things that science can't immediately explain. Although we have legitimate and well-researched reasons for the phenomena that occur in the Devil's Sea, there are those who will always believe there's something more to it. Extraterrestrial life is yet another explanation that people turn to in order to explain mysterious disappearances and missing ships. Some believe this is alien life staking its claim or that this area, in particular, functions as some sort of hidden grounds for interdimensional life.

10 Some Believe That The Dragon's Triangle Is Home To The Lost City Of Atlantis

The story of Atlantis will always be somewhat of a novelty to the world since there has been no proof, even to this day, that it exists anywhere. While many have their own theories, some believe that the enormous underwater world is actually hidden beneath the Dragon's Triangle. Due to the fact that it's too dangerous to conduct any significant underwater research here, this theory will likely never be proven right or wrong. However, some believe that this is even more reason for why the lost city must be hidden in this location.

9 The Weather Has Been Responsible For A Number Of Sunken Ships

A leading contender for this intense weather is the occurrence of its volcanic activity. This has been known to cause severe thunderstorms on land, so you can only imagine what it would do when surrounded by a body of saltwater. Storms are known to be much stronger and much more dangerous in this area. Typhoons that pop up out of nowhere have also been noted and have even been responsible for a large number of ships that have gone missing.

8 Deep-Sea Fishing Is Dangerous, To Begin With, Adding To The Hype

A book by author Larry Kusche in 1995 detailed what was presumed to be a legitimate reason for why the Dragon's Triangle seems so merciless. In addition to boldly stating that some cases weren't even within the common boundaries of the triangle, he made the statement that deep-sea fishing is a dangerous activity. He went on to describe how those who have gone missing were embarking on something that was never safe to begin with, which is why it seems like the sea has taken more lives in this spot than anywhere else.

7 The Official Location Has Never Been Outlined On Any World Map

As opposed to the Bermuda Triangle, which has clearly defined edges and points, for the most part, the Dragon's Triangle has never truly been plotted. Its triangular shape has assumed borders that seem to vary from person to person and it has never been marked on any official maps. Some have the triangle within close proximity to Iwo Jima while others have it slightly further, which makes a significant difference, considering the tectonic activity in this area. This also explains why there never seems to be a definitive explanation for the events that occur here.

6 Its Fame Came From Kublai Khan

Although the folklore of dragons and mythical sea creatures was popular long before the leader of the Mongol Empire took a crack at sailing these waters, it was Kublai Khan who earned a legitimate reason for a ship disappearance. In 1274 and 1281 AD, both he and his grandson, Genghis Khan, had attempted to send ships over to Japan. They were to cross through the waters marked as the Dragon's Triangle and almost as if fate had stepped in, the ships never made it. This was due to massive typhoons that sunk and soiled all their efforts.