[News Terms] The Origin of US Presidential Election Climate Manipulation Conspiracy Theory 'HAARP'

HAARP, Earth Ionosphere Magnetic Field Research Project
Conspiracy Theorists Claim Powerful Electromagnetic Waves Cause Earthquakes and Tsunamis

'HAARP (High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program)' is a high-frequency active auroral research program. It is a joint research project conducted in the United States on the upper atmosphere, the solar system, geophysics, and radio science. It studies the characteristics of the ionospheric magnetic field where auroras occur and analyzes how this magnetic field affects military and civilian communications, navigation systems, and more.

HAARP was established in 1990 by Dr. Bernard Eastlund in Gakona, Alaska, USA. Dr. Eastlund developed a theory that by transmitting radio waves into the ionosphere and utilizing the reflected effects, it is possible to explore extensive areas such as beneath the Earth's surface. He also holds patents related to this technology. In other words, the original purpose of the establishment was to explore the Earth's surface and underground to find oil and natural gas.

Some facilities of 'HAARP' located in Gakona, Alaska, USA. [Photo by HAARP website (https://haarp.gi.alaska.edu)]

Subsequently, with joint funding from the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and the University of Alaska, Dr. Eastlund was excluded from the HAARP project. The project then focused on researching the characteristics of the ionospheric magnetic field through facility expansion. Since 2015, the operational responsibility has been transferred from the U.S. Air Force to the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF).

HAARP consists of a large area measuring 316.99m by 390.14m, with 180 antennas arranged in 12 rows horizontally and 15 rows vertically. Each antenna is 21.9m tall and is equipped with a special dipole antenna at the top of the vertical pole, oriented in the north, south, east, and west directions.

These antennas generate high-energy ultra-high frequency waves that shake and impact the Earth's magnetic field. Through experiments, scientific analyses and technologies are studied according to each case. Since the experiments affect the Earth's magnetic field, which maintains the shape of the Earth and the climate of the atmosphere, HAARP has always been a target of 'conspiracy theories.'

Conspiracy theorists claim that HAARP emits powerful electromagnetic waves or particle beams to disable enemy aircraft or submarines, or that it can cause natural disasters such as earthquakes or tsunamis. Dr. Eastlund, who was excluded from the HAARP project, also fueled these conspiracy theories. In interviews with the media, he claimed, "The United States has been controlling the Earth's climate for a long time." In response, HAARP stated, "This is just a conspiracy theory. The ultimate goal of HAARP is to predict and respond to space weather."

Former U.S. President Donald Trump giving a speech at a campaign rally.
[Photo by AFP/ Yonhap News]

Recently, during the U.S. presidential election process, HAARP's climate manipulation conspiracy theory resurfaced. On the evening of the 15th (local time), former President Donald Trump won a landslide victory at the Republican Iowa Caucus, and far-right Republican supporters backing him claimed that the large-scale winter storm that recently swept across the U.S. was caused by HAARP's climate manipulation.

As a snowstorm and Arctic cold wave with wind chills below minus 30 degrees struck ahead of the Iowa Caucus, making the weather a new variable in the primary, a former Republican House candidate active in Florida claimed, "Getting a snowstorm in Iowa that happens once every ten years is the result of weather manipulation."

Laura Loomer, a right-wing activist supporting President Trump, posted on her X (formerly Twitter) account on the 11th, stating, "Former UN Ambassador and Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley is using HAARP to stir up this storm to disrupt the presidential campaign."

Another individual specifically named Nikki Haley, claiming, "The Deep State is operating HAARP to disrupt the Iowa caucus. We all know that Nikki Haley has many friends in the defense industry."

The U.S. National Weather Service explained that the snowstorm hitting Iowa was caused by "the Arctic high pressure pushing cold air southward." HAARP has remained silent regarding the conspiracy theories raised by Trump supporters.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.