Dawn Levandowski, age 13, of Prospect Heights, I11., for her question:

WHAT IS THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE?

The Bermuda Triangle, also called the Devil's Triangle, is an area of ocean off the southeastern coast of Florida where many airplanes and ships have disappeared over the years.

Since 1954, more than 50 ships and aircraft have vanished in the 440,000 square mile area that is formed by drawing an imaginary line from a point near Melbourne, Fla., to Bermuda, to Puerto Rico and then back to Florida.

The first recorded disappearance occurred in 1918 when the U.S.S. Cyclops vanished.

Many believe that all of the disappearances took place under mysterious circumstances. Some scientists say that violent, unexpected storms or downward air currents have destroyed ships and planes. No one is sure since there are thousands of safe crossings of the area.