In May 1987, a significant earthquake struck the southwestern region of Puerto Rico, causing structural damage and power outages across several communities. Residents of Cabo Rojo, Lajas, and Mayagüez reported not only feeling the ground shake beneath them but also hearing a mysterious explosion that seemed to originate underground. Initially, seismologists identified the epicenter beneath Laguna Cartagena, though reports were later revised to place it in the Mona Channel west of the island.

What followed this seismic event captured the attention of UFO researchers, particularly George Martin, who documented numerous witness accounts of strange phenomena in the area. Residents described seeing massive flying objects with bright lights hovering over Laguna Cartagena in the days after the earthquake. These sightings were accompanied by reports of unusual circular markings appearing overnight in nearby fields, unexplained light beams, and even encounters where witnesses claimed they could see through their own skin, as if exposed to some form of radiation.

Key Takeaways

A powerful earthquake and mysterious explosion in southwestern Puerto Rico in 1987 preceded a wave of unexplained aerial phenomena in the region.
Numerous witnesses around Laguna Cartagena reported seeing large, illuminated objects hovering in the sky, with some describing them as metallic structures with bright lights.
Several residents experienced unusual physical effects during encounters, including claims of seeing through their skin as if exposed to x-ray radiation.

1987 Earthquake in Puerto Rico

Initial Impact and Damage Reports

On May 31, 1987, at 1:55 PM, a significant earthquake struck the southwest region of Puerto Rico, causing considerable damage to homes and buildings. Residents in the towns of Cabo Rojo, Lajas, and Mayagüez experienced the strongest effects, with many describing how the ground moved up and down for several moments. Coinciding with the tremors, locals reported hearing a massive explosion that seemed to originate from underground.

The earthquake left many areas without electrical power, though fortunately, no fatalities were reported despite the structural damage. Eyewitness accounts collected by news organizations described the frightening experience as houses shook violently. The vertical motion of the ground was particularly notable to residents who had experienced earthquakes before.

Seismologist Reports and Epicenter Controversy

Puerto Rican seismologists initially determined that the earthquake's epicenter was located 81,000 feet beneath Laguna Cartagena, a lagoon situated between Lajas and Cabo Rojo. This finding sparked immediate interest among researchers due to the unusual depth and precise location. However, this official explanation would not remain unchallenged for long.

Just one day after the initial report, authorities revised their assessment. The new official position stated that the epicenter was actually located offshore to the west of Puerto Rico in the Mona Channel. This sudden change in the scientific explanation raised questions among local residents and researchers alike.

The timing of this official revision coincided with increased reports of unusual aerial phenomena in the area. Several residents claimed to have observed large, unidentified objects with bright lights hovering over Laguna Cartagena on the evening of June 1, 1987—just a day after the earthquake. These sightings, combined with the changed epicenter report, fueled speculation about what might have truly occurred in southwest Puerto Rico that May.

Unexplained Aerial Phenomena and Strange Occurrences

George Martin's Field Research

In 1987, following an earthquake that struck southwestern Puerto Rico, UFO researcher George Martin conducted an extensive investigation into unusual phenomena reported around Laguna Cartagena. The earthquake, which occurred on May 31st at 1:55 PM, damaged homes and was accompanied by a loud explosion that many residents reported hearing. While initially Puerto Rican seismologists identified the epicenter as being 81,000 feet beneath Laguna Cartagena, this assessment was later revised, placing it in the Mona Channel west of Puerto Rico.

Martin's investigation began after receiving reports that a massive unidentified object had been seen hovering over Laguna Cartagena the day after the earthquake. He quickly assembled a team and traveled to the area to interview witnesses. During his fieldwork, Martin discovered several perfectly circular markings measuring 35-40 feet in diameter in a field adjacent to Sierra Burmesa. These circles featured a distinctive three-foot-wide rim where the soil appeared hardened as if exposed to intense heat, and the grass within these areas had completely dried up.

Witness Testimonials

Several residents provided detailed accounts of unusual aerial phenomena to Martin's team. Carlos Maceda described observing "two very big and bright stars or lights" descending slowly side by side, which he later identified through binoculars as part of what appeared to be "a huge metallic looking silvery pipe" with "two big balls of greenish white light at each end." His wife, Y. Alvarez Machado, corroborated this sighting, describing them as "two very big stars the size of a half dollar coin joined by a long metallic big pipe."

Another witness, Rosa Acosta, reported seeing an enormous object hovering motionlessly over Laguna Cartagena for approximately 15 minutes before it flew southward and disappeared behind Sierra Burmesa. Acosta noted that such sightings weren't unusual in the area, stating: "These mysterious lights and artifacts have been seen here for years." She described personal encounters where bright lights from saucer-shaped objects had shone directly on her while she rested in her hammock.

In the Oliveira sector, resident Dolan Acosta recounted a particularly disturbing experience when a beam of light from an overhead object engulfed her, causing her to see her own skeletal structure "as if I was looking at an x-ray plaque." Her sister Eunice witnessed this phenomenon as well, with both women reporting they could see the bones in their bodies during this encounter.

Recurring UFO Appearances

The investigation revealed a pattern of regular appearances by unidentified flying objects in the Laguna Cartagena area. Carlos Munoz informed Martin that his family had observed strange flying objects in the region for approximately a year prior to the earthquake. He described witnessing "a very big platform" with bright yellow and green lights that remained stationary over the lagoon, from which smaller luminous objects emerged and later returned before the main craft departed.

According to Munoz, this phenomenon occurred on three consecutive nights at approximately the same time (10:00-10:30 PM), with the object hovering over the lagoon. Following these sightings, local radio stations received numerous calls from listeners reporting similar observations.

Residents from the Oliveira sector, including Roosevelt Acosta and his brother Herberto, confirmed seeing strange lights and a large object with multiple colored lights hovering in the sky over Sierra Burmesa. Multiple witnesses from this community also reported encountering small beings with an apparent glow that quickly vanished when approached.

The consistency in witness descriptions from different locations around Laguna Cartagena suggested a recurring phenomenon rather than isolated incidents, with similar objects being reported both before and after the May 1987 earthquake.

Strange Phenomena Following the Earthquake

Multiple Observations of Unidentified Aerial Objects

Following the earthquake that struck southwestern Puerto Rico on May 31, 1987, numerous residents reported seeing unusual aerial phenomena. At approximately 10 PM on June 1st, just one day after the earthquake, multiple witnesses observed a large unidentified object hovering above Laguna Cartagena. The object remained stationary in the evening sky, seemingly surveying the area.

Carlos Maceda, a local resident, described seeing "two very big and bright stars or lights" descending slowly side by side. Using binoculars, he identified what appeared to be a massive cylindrical, metallic-looking object with "greenish-white light at each end" and a "revolving reddish light" on its underside. His wife corroborated this account, comparing the lights to "two very big stars the size of a half dollar coin joined by a long metallic pipe."

Another witness, Rosa Acosta, estimated the object was visible from about three kilometers away and remained motionless over Laguna Cartagena for approximately 15 minutes before flying southward and disappearing behind Sierra Bermesa. She noted that such sightings weren't unusual in the area.

Carlos Muñoz reported that his family had witnessed a large platform-like object with bright yellow and green lights hovering over Laguna Cartagena the previous year. He described smaller luminous objects emerging from and returning to the larger craft before it departed. This activity reportedly continued for three consecutive nights between 10:00-10:30 PM.

Circular Marks Discovery

When investigators explored the area behind Sierra Bermesa following witness reports, they discovered several perfectly defined circular marks in a field owned by local businessman Mr. Fidel Avila. These markings exhibited the following characteristics:

Feature Description Diameter 35-40 feet Rim width 3 feet Soil condition Hardened, appeared heat-affected Vegetation Dried and dead within the rim area

Local residents expressed surprise at the circles' appearance, stating they hadn't noticed them previously and suggesting they had formed overnight. No one could explain their origin or purpose.

Local Observations of Unusual Beings

Residents in the Olivera sector reported encounters with strange entities in addition to the aerial phenomena. Multiple witnesses, including Roosevelt Acosta, his brother Herberto, and their relatives, described observing small beings that appeared to have a glowing quality to their bodies. These entities reportedly vanished quickly whenever people approached them.

Mrs. Dolan Acosta experienced a particularly unusual encounter while standing on her balcony. She described a bright beam of light from above that engulfed her completely. The light emanated from what she called "a big ball of light" positioned above her balcony ceiling. Under this illumination, she claimed she could see her own skeletal structure "as if I was looking at an x-ray."

Her sister Eunice witnessed this phenomenon as well, with both women reporting they could see the bones inside their bodies. Mrs. Acosta added that her sister appeared to have "no eyes" when viewed in this strange light. The object producing the beam reportedly made "a soft sound... like air being ejected" before departing.

Personal Encounters and Unusual Phenomena

Light Beam Experience

In the Oliveira sector, Mrs. Dolan Acosta had a particularly disturbing encounter while standing on her balcony. Without warning, an intense white light beam descended from above, completely enveloping her. When she looked up through a hole in the ceiling, she observed what appeared to be a large ball of light emitting the beam directly toward her.

The experience became even more unsettling when she looked at her own body. The light somehow allowed her to see through her skin, revealing her skeletal structure as if viewing an x-ray image. She could clearly distinguish the bones in her fingers, arms, and even her toes. A soft sound accompanied the phenomenon, described as similar to air being released.

Mrs. Acosta's sister Eunice came out from her room, drawn by the brightness. Both women experienced the same effect, with each able to see the internal bone structure of the other. Mrs. Acosta specifically noted that when looking at her sister, "she had no eyes" - presumably referring to seeing through to the eye sockets.

X-Ray-Like Visibility Incident

The penetrating light phenomenon created an effect remarkably similar to medical radiography. Both women could observe their internal skeletal structures with extraordinary clarity. The light appeared to possess properties that allowed it to penetrate soft tissue while being reflected or absorbed differently by denser bone material.

This unique visual effect persisted for several minutes after the object departed. The sisters continued to see their bones and internal structures even as the ball of light moved away. The experience left them deeply shaken.

Several other residents in the area reported similar encounters with strange beings and lights following the earthquake. Many described entities with an unusual glow that would quickly vanish when approached. These incidents, along with multiple UFO sightings, formed a pattern of unusual activity concentrated around the Laguna Cartagena region.

Laguna Cartagena's Legacy of Mysteries

The southwest region of Puerto Rico experienced a significant earthquake on May 31, 1987, at 1:55 PM. Residents of Cabarado, Lejos, and Mayas felt the strongest tremors as the ground shook violently, accompanied by a loud explosion that seemed to originate underground. Though buildings sustained damage, fortunately no lives were lost.

Initially, Puerto Rican seismologists identified the epicenter at 81,000 feet beneath Laguna Cartagena, a lagoon between Lejos and Cabo Rojo. By the following day, however, official reports changed, placing the epicenter in the Mona Channel west of Puerto Rico.

The day after the earthquake, at approximately 10 PM, numerous residents observed a massive unidentified flying object hovering over Laguna Cartagena. The object remained stationary in the evening sky, as if examining the area affected by the recent seismic activity.

UFO researcher George Martin quickly began investigating these reports, conducting interviews with local witnesses. Carlos Maceda described seeing "two very big and bright stars or lights coming down very slowly side by side" through his binoculars. He observed what appeared to be a "huge metallic looking silvery pipe" with "two big balls of greenish-white light at each end" and "a revolving reddish light" on its underside.

His wife, Y. Alvarez Machado, confirmed the sighting, comparing the lights to "two very big stars the size of a half-dollar coin joined by a long metallic big pipe." Another witness, Rosa Acosta, estimated she observed the object from about three kilometers away yet could still discern its impressive size before it disappeared behind Sierra Bromesa.

Acosta noted these phenomena weren't new to the area, stating: "These mysterious lights and artifacts have been seen here for years." She described personal experiences where bright lights from saucer-shaped objects would shine directly on her while she relaxed in her hammock.

Carlos Muñoz shared with Martin that approximately a year earlier, his family had witnessed "a very big platform" descending over Laguna Cartagena. The structure featured bright yellow and green lights, with smaller luminous objects emerging from its underside, flying in various directions before returning to the main craft. This phenomenon reportedly repeated for three consecutive nights at approximately the same time.

Martin's investigation led him to explore the area behind Sierra Bromesa, where he discovered several perfectly defined circular marks in a field. These mysterious formations measured 35-40 feet in diameter with three-foot-wide rims where the grass had completely dried up and the soil appeared hardened, as if subjected to intense heat.

Local residents in the Oliveira sector expressed surprise at these circles, claiming they had appeared overnight. They reported observing strange lights and a large, colorful object hovering in the sky on multiple nights following the earthquake. Some witnesses even described encounters with small, glowing beings that would quickly vanish when approached.

Perhaps most extraordinarily, Mrs. Dolan Acosta recounted an incident where a bright beam of light engulfed her while she stood on her balcony. She described seeing her own skeletal structure, "as if I was looking at an x-ray plaque," and hearing "a soft sound coming from it, something like air being ejected." Her sister Eunice also experienced this bizarre phenomenon, with Dolan noting, "when I looked at her, she had no eyes."

UFO Sightings After Puerto Rico Earthquake: The Laguna Cartagena Phenomenon