In the quiet depths of the oceans lapping against the shores of the United States, a mystery is unfolding that has captured the attention of scientists, military officials, and UFO enthusiasts alike. A popular UFO-tracking app, Enigma, has logged over 9,000 reports of Unidentified Submersible Objects (USOs)—strange, unexplained phenomena lurking beneath the waves—since its launch in late 2022. These sightings, concentrated along the coasts of California and Florida, have sparked intense debate, with some speculating about extraterrestrial activity, while others warn of potential national security threats. As haunting videos of glowing green lights and objects diving seamlessly into the sea surface, the question looms: what lies beneath the waters of America’s coastlines?

The Rise of Enigma: A Window into the Unknown

Enigma, which bills itself as the “largest queryable historical sighting database for global UFO sightings,” has become a beacon for those seeking answers about unidentified phenomena. Since its inception, the app has amassed over 30,000 reports of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs), with a significant portion focusing on USOs—objects observed moving beneath the water’s surface, often with capabilities that defy conventional technology. According to recent data, over 9,000 of these sightings have occurred within 10 miles of U.S. shorelines or major bodies of water, with 500 reported within just five miles of the coast. More than 150 reports describe objects hovering above or plunging into the sea without creating a splash, a feat that challenges our understanding of physics.

The app’s interface is user-friendly, allowing anyone from casual observers to seasoned researchers to report sightings, often accompanied by photos or videos. Enigma has also released detailed maps, with clusters of orange dots marking sighting hotspots along the East and West coasts. These maps paint a striking picture: the U.S. is surrounded by a web of unexplained underwater activity, with California leading the pack at 389 reported USO sightings and Florida close behind with 306.

One of the most compelling pieces of evidence comes from a video submitted to Enigma, showing eerie green lights moving beneath the ocean’s surface near Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The footage, described as both mesmerizing and unsettling, has left experts and enthusiasts baffled. Is this a natural phenomenon, a secret military project, or something far more otherworldly? The lack of definitive answers only fuels the intrigue.

A Historical Context: USOs Are Not New

While the recent surge in USO reports has grabbed headlines, the phenomenon is not entirely new. The U.S. Navy has long encountered unexplained objects in its waters. One of the most well-documented incidents occurred in July 2019, when the USS Omaha recorded a UFO—or UAP, in modern parlance—that vanished into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego without a trace. The Pentagon later verified the footage, which showed an object moving at high speed before diving beneath the waves, leaving no visible wreckage or disturbance. Retired Navy Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet, a former head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), described the incident as evidence of technology that “jeopardizes U.S. maritime security” and could have “world-changing” implications.

This wasn’t an isolated event. In 2004, pilots from the USS Nimitz reported a “Tic Tac” shaped object hovering over a patch of churning water off the coast of San Diego. The object, which accelerated at speeds unattainable by known aircraft, was accompanied by reports of underwater anomalies detected by sonar. More recently, investigative journalist Jeremy Corbell revealed that in July 2019, dozens of unidentified objects swarmed nine U.S. Navy warships within a 100-mile radius, displaying capabilities far beyond conventional technology.

These incidents, combined with Enigma’s data, suggest that the oceans may be a hub for unexplained activity. The question is: what are these objects, and why are they concentrating along U.S. coastlines?

Theories and Speculation: Aliens, Military Tech, or Something Else?

The surge in USO sightings has given rise to a range of theories, each more intriguing than the last. The most sensational is the possibility of extraterrestrial activity. Tennessee Congressman Tim Burchett, a vocal advocate for UFO transparency, has claimed that aliens may have “five or six submerged bases” off the U.S. coast. In discussions with UFO researcher Red Panda Koala, Burchett cited reports from naval personnel of underwater crafts moving at speeds far exceeding those of conventional submarines—some reportedly reaching hundreds of miles per hour. Such speeds, he argued, suggest technology that is not of human origin.

Burchett’s claims are bolstered by accounts from other sources, including a whistleblower known as “JP,” who allegedly described being taken aboard a high-tech submarine operated by “tall, Nordic-looking extraterrestrials.” According to UFO researcher Dr. Michael Salla, this submarine was capable of space travel and transported JP to a domed underwater city featuring a massive white pyramid. While such stories strain credulity, they resonate with a growing number of people who believe the oceans—covering over 70% of Earth’s surface—could be hiding extraterrestrial civilizations that have existed for millennia.

Skeptics, however, argue that these sightings could be explained by more terrestrial causes. Advanced military technology, particularly from nations like China or Russia, is often cited as a potential culprit. Russia’s development of the Poseidon nuclear underwater vehicle, touted by President Vladimir Putin as a weapon with unmatched destructive power, has raised eyebrows. Could some USO sightings be attributed to secret tests of such technology? The lack of transparency from governments worldwide only deepens the mystery.

Another possibility is that these phenomena are natural or environmental in origin. Some researchers suggest that bioluminescent marine life, underwater volcanic activity, or even methane gas releases could account for the glowing lights and strange movements observed in the water. Yet, these explanations struggle to account for the high-speed, controlled movements reported by naval personnel and civilians alike.

National Security Concerns: A Call for Transparency

The sheer volume of USO reports has not gone unnoticed by military officials. High-ranking members of the U.S. Navy, including Rear Admiral Gallaudet, have warned that these phenomena could pose a threat to national security. The ability of USOs to transition seamlessly from air to water, without creating a splash or leaving debris, suggests a level of technological sophistication that surpasses known human capabilities. Gallaudet, who has spent the past 18 months interviewing sailors, submariners, and Coast Guard personnel, emphasized the need for further investigation into these underwater anomalies.

Congress has also taken notice. Following the 2023 testimony of UFO whistleblower David Grusch, a former Air Force and intelligence officer, lawmakers have pushed for greater transparency regarding UAPs and USOs. Grusch’s claims of government knowledge about non-human craft have fueled bipartisan efforts to declassify documents related to these phenomena. Congressman Burchett, a member of the House Oversight Committee, has been particularly vocal, arguing that the public deserves to know the truth about what’s happening in U.S. waters.

The Pentagon’s response, however, has been muted. While it has acknowledged incidents like the USS Omaha sighting, it has released little additional information, leading to accusations of a cover-up. Some speculate that the government is withholding data to avoid public panic or to protect sensitive military technology. Others believe that the Pentagon itself may not fully understand the nature of these phenomena, leaving it ill-equipped to address them.

Sycamore Knoll: The Malibu Mystery

One of the most intriguing USO-related stories centers on Sycamore Knoll, a mysterious underwater formation located 6.6 miles off the coast of Malibu, California. Discovered decades ago, this raised structure with a flat, horizontal top has long been a subject of scientific interest. However, recent speculation has thrust it into the spotlight as a potential “UFO base.” The formation’s unusual appearance, combined with its disappearance from Google Earth imagery in 2025, has fueled conspiracy theories. While it remains visible on some fishing apps, its blurred appearance on mainstream platforms has led some to believe that it’s being deliberately obscured.

Scientists argue that Sycamore Knoll is likely a natural geological feature, possibly a seamount or underwater plateau. Yet, its proximity to one of the highest concentrations of USO sightings in California has kept the alien base theory alive. The formation’s location, just 2,000 feet beneath the Pacific Ocean, places it within reach of advanced submersibles, adding to the speculation that it could serve as a hub for extraterrestrial or covert human activity.

Public Reaction and Cultural Impact

The surge in USO reports has captivated the public’s imagination, reigniting debates about humanity’s place in the universe. Social media platforms, particularly X, have been abuzz with discussions about the Enigma app’s findings. Posts from users like Steven Greenstreet, who shared footage of USOs off Fort Lauderdale, have garnered thousands of views, with commenters expressing a mix of awe, fear, and skepticism.

The cultural impact of these sightings cannot be overstated. From Hollywood blockbusters to late-night talk shows, UFOs and USOs have long been a staple of popular culture. However, the recent wave of credible reports, backed by military testimony and video evidence, has shifted the conversation from fringe speculation to mainstream curiosity. Even NASA, traditionally focused on aerial phenomena, has been urged to turn its attention to the oceans, with experts like Gallaudet arguing that the seas may hold the key to understanding these mysteries.

For many Americans, the idea of underwater alien bases is both thrilling and unsettling. The notion that advanced beings could be hiding in plain sight, beneath the waves, challenges our understanding of reality. At the same time, the possibility of secret military projects or foreign technology raises questions about global security and transparency. As one X user put it, “If aliens are real, why are they hiding underwater? And if they’re not, why won’t the government just tell us what’s going on?”

The Path Forward: Science, Skepticism, and Exploration

As the Enigma app continues to log thousands of USO sightings, the need for rigorous scientific investigation becomes increasingly urgent. Researchers are calling for advanced underwater exploration, including the use of drones, sonar, and submersibles, to probe the areas where sightings are most frequent. The Navy’s Atlantic Undersea Testing and Evaluation Center (AUTEC), often dubbed the “Area 51 of the ocean,” could play a pivotal role in such efforts, given its history of studying underwater phenomena.

Skeptics, meanwhile, urge caution, warning against jumping to extraterrestrial conclusions without concrete evidence. The scientific community has long dismissed UFO and USO sightings as misidentifications or optical illusions, but the growing body of data—particularly video footage and sonar readings—makes outright dismissal harder to justify. The challenge lies in separating fact from fiction in a field rife with speculation and sensationalism.

For now, the mystery of the USOs remains unsolved. Are they evidence of extraterrestrial visitors, advanced military technology, or natural phenomena we’ve yet to understand? The Enigma app’s maps, dotted with orange clusters along America’s coasts, serve as a haunting reminder that the ocean is vast, deep, and largely unexplored. As Rear Admiral Gallaudet put it, “We’ve only scratched the surface of what’s out there.”

Conclusion: A Call to Look Beneath the Waves

The thousands of USO sightings reported by Enigma have thrust the oceans into the spotlight, challenging us to rethink what we believe is possible. Whether these eerie underwater objects are alien craft, secret weapons, or something else entirely, their presence demands attention. As lawmakers, scientists, and citizens grapple with the implications, one thing is clear: the truth lies beneath the waves, waiting to be uncovered. For now, the Enigma app continues to shine a light on the unknown, inviting us all to peer into the abyss and wonder what mysteries await.