title: Geophysical variables and behavior: LIV. Zeitoun (Egypt) apparitions of the Virgin Mary as tectonic strain-induced luminosities.
abstract: Temporal analyses were completed between the occurrence of intense displays of exotic luminous phenomena over a church in Zeitoun (Egypt) during the years 1968 through 1969 and regional seismicity. These phenomena, viewed by thousands of onlookers, began one year before an unprecedented increase (factor of 10) in seismic activity about 400 km to the southeast. Monthly analyses also demonstrated a moderate (0.56) correlation between increases in seismicity and the occurrence of luminous phenomena during the same or previous month. These results were interpreted as further support for the hypothesis that most anomalous (terrain-related) luminous phenomena are generated by factors associated with tectonic strain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Derr
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Persinger
mesh_terms: D004190:Disasters; D004534:Egypt; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D010268:Parapsychology; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D014796:Visual Perception