A lot of people are interested and worried about the recent sighting of two rare oarfish off the coast of Mexico. People often call these deep-sea creatures “doomsday fish.” There is a lot of folklore about them that says their appearances are a sign of natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis. Scientists say that the truth behind these strange fish may not be as scary as the old myths that have come back to life.
This deep sea creature are rare on Mexico’s coast
People don’t see oarfish very often because they usually live in the deep ocean, sometimes as deep as 1,000 meters. When they come close to the surface or wash up on shore, they often get a lot of attention around the world.
Recently, two oarfish were seen near the coast of Baja California in Mexico. This surprised beachgoers and marine observers. Videos and pictures quickly spread on social media, which made people think that the sightings might mean an earthquake or other disturbance in the water was coming.
Marine experts say, though, that these kinds of appearances are usually caused by natural things like sickness, confusion, or strong ocean currents pushing the fish toward shallow waters.
The “Doomsday Fish” Myth’s Cultural Roots
Japanese folklore is where the idea that oarfish can predict disasters comes from. In Japan, the species is called “Ryugu no tsukai,” which means “messenger from the sea dragon god’s palace.”
It is said that these fish come up from the deep sea to warn people of earthquakes or tsunamis. The myth got a lot of attention again after a few oarfish washed up on the beach in Japan before the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. This led to rumours that the fish could sense seismic activity underwater.
In some parts of Southeast Asia, like the Philippines, people believe that strange behaviour in marine animals can sometimes be linked to natural disasters.
What Science Says
Marine biologists say that these animals mostly come to the surface when they are hurt, dying, stressed out by changes in the environment, or caught in strange ocean currents. Changes in temperature, storms, or deep-sea habitats can also make them come to the surface.
Researchers say that even though some sightings and earthquakes seem to happen at the same time, there is no scientific proof that oarfish can predict earthquakes.
FAQs
1. What makes oarfish “doomsday fish”?
Folklore, especially in Japan, gave them the name because people think that when they show up near the surface, it means an earthquake or tsunami is coming.
2. Do oarfish really have the ability to predict earthquakes?
No. Scientists have not found any scientific proof that seeing oarfish is linked to earthquakes.
3. What makes oarfish come to the surface?
When oarfish are sick, hurt, dying, or affected by ocean currents or changes in the environment, they usually come to the surface.
