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Indian Express
20-06-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
Rare oarfish aka ‘doomsday fish' caught in Tamil Nadu sparks rumours about an impending calamity; should you be worried?
A rare oarfish, ominously dubbed the 'doomsday fish' in Japanese folklore, was recently caught off the Tamil Nadu coast, sparking widespread concern and curiosity among social media users. The unusual deep-sea creature, which, according to a viral video shared on X, required seven men to lift, has reignited age-old debates about whether these mysterious marine giants can truly predict natural disasters. However, before delving into the folklore surrounding this enigmatic fish, it's crucial to address what modern science tells us. A 2019 study published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America analysed decades of data and found no statistically significant link between sightings of deep-sea fish, such as oarfish, and earthquakes in Japan, effectively debunking the scientific basis for their so-called 'doomsday' reputation. The study analysed data collected between November 1928 and March 2011, focusing on instances where deep-sea fish were spotted 10 to 30 days before earthquakes struck within a 50 to 100 kilometer radius of the sightings. Researchers found only one event that could have been plausibly correlated, out of 336 fish sightings and 221 earthquakes in Japan. 'As a result, one can hardly confirm the association between the two phenomena,' the authors write in the BSSA paper. The creature captured in Tamil Nadu is a giant oarfish (Regalecus glesne), the world's longest bony fish, which can reach lengths of up to 36 feet (11 meters). These remarkable creatures typically inhabit the mesopelagic zone, dwelling 660 to 3,300 feet beneath the ocean's surface, where sunlight barely penetrates. The silvery, ribbon-like fish with its distinctive red crest-like dorsal fin is rarely seen by humans due to its deep-water habitat. They are thin and slow due to their lack of muscles and generally swim vertically in the ocean. When oarfish do surface, it's typically because they are sick, disoriented, dying, or occasionally breeding—not because they're fleeing from impending seismic activity, according to Ocean Conservancy, a nonprofit environmental advocacy group based in the United States. The rarely seen oarfish, which usually are in deep-sea, which is also known as 'Doomsday' fish is caught in the net in TamilNadu — Aryan (@chinchat09) June 16, 2025 The 'doomsday fish' reputation stems from ancient Japanese folklore, where oarfish are called 'ryugu no tsukai,' meaning 'messenger from the sea god's palace.' This belief gained international attention following several notable coincidences, particularly the 2010 incident when multiple dead oarfish washed ashore in Japan months before the devastating 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami that led to the Fukushima nuclear disaster. More recently, these coincidences have continued to fuel superstitions. In August 2024, a 12-foot oarfish was discovered near San Diego just two days before an earthquake struck Los Angeles, adding to the mystique surrounding these deep-sea dwellers. The Tamil Nadu sighting is part of a concerning trend of increased oarfish appearances worldwide. In recent months, these rare creatures have been spotted in various locations, including Mexico, Tasmania, and California. This uptick in sightings has led to increased speculation about environmental factors, with some experts suggesting that climate change, ocean warming, or changes in deep-sea ecosystems might be driving these creatures to shallower waters.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
How did the 'Doomsday Fish' get its name, and what is the story behind it?
Deep in the darkness and beneath the waves of the ocean, lives a bizarre creature that has been a part of many myths and legends. Popularly called the 'doomsday fish,' the oarfish is rarely seen by humans, yet when it appears and gets washed ashore, it sends chills down people's spines because of its creepy ribbon-like body and scary image. This fish is surrounded by many folklores and legendary stories that add up to its eerie reputation in the minds of the people! There are many theories about how the oarfish got its name. One of which is its long, flat bodies that look a bit like oars. Another theory is that it might come from the way they move through the water, using their fins in a kind of gentle, rowing motion. Either way, the name seems to fit their odd, elegant shape and the unusual way they swim in the deep sea. The giant oarfish can surprisingly grow to about 9 m (30 ft), and its ribbon-like body with orangish red fins and thread-like tail makes it look scary and helps it move in a sinuous, undulating motion. While this fish inhabits the mesopelagic zone, typically between 200 m and 1,000 m depth, which is quite deep within the ocean, recently, there have been examples when there have been about 20 sightings of this ominous fish across the world. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 새로 나온 '실손보험' 최적가 가입추천! "월 보험료 줄이고, 보장은 더 든든하게"... 굿리치 보험대리점 (등록번호:제2006038313호) 가입하기 Undo Its appearance is linked to Japanese folklore In Japan, the oarfish is called "Ryūgū no tsukai", meaning 'Messenger from the Sea God's Palace.' According to Yokai, an online database dedicated to Japanese folklore, it is described as a massive creature with a human-like face, horns, and sometimes even long hair or a beard. Legend says that these mysterious fish would appear along Japan's coastline as harbingers of deadly disease. Supposedly, those who saw a portrait of the creature or heard its message would be spared. In modern times, the ryūgū no tsukai has become more closely tied to warnings of natural disasters, especially earthquakes. How did the fish get its name? In 2011, Japan experienced its most powerful recorded earthquake, which triggered a massive tsunami and a nuclear crisis at the Fukushima power plant. Tragically, over 20,000 lives were lost. In the months leading up to the disaster, several oarfish were seen washing ashore, leading to the belief that their appearance was a warning. More recently, a similar pattern seemed to happen in the US when an oarfish washed up near San Diego on August 10, 2024, just two days before an earthquake struck the area. That November, another sighting occurred in Grandview Beach, Southern California, followed by another quake in December. All these incidents have given it the name 'doomsday fish'. Are there any scientific proofs? While these events might seem connected, the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America reported that the 'relationship between deep‐sea fish appearances and earthquakes was hardly found.' Similarly, the Ocean Conservancy says that when deep-sea creatures like the oarfish come to the surface, it's more likely due to illness, disorientation, or injury than any supernatural warning.
News18
03-06-2025
- General
- News18
30-Foot ‘Doomsday Fish' Caught In Tamil Nadu, Folklore Ties It To Earthquakes, Tsunamis
Previous sightings of oarfish have often been linked to tragic events, leading locals to regard the deep-sea creature as a harbinger of doom or natural disaster A rare deep-sea fish, known as the ' Pralaya fish ' or Oarfish (Regalecus glesne), was recently caught in fishermen's nets off the coast of Tamil Nadu. This silver-shining, ribbon-like fish, which can grow up to 30 feet long and has a red fin on its head, typically dwells at depths of 200 to 1,000 metres. Its appearance on the surface has sparked both curiosity and concern among local residents. A report by the Times of India suggests that the sighting of an oarfish near coastal regions has long been believed to signal impending doom, such as a natural disaster. The recent discovery of an oarfish in Tamil Nadu has revived these fears, as its appearance is often linked to catastrophic events, prompting speculation about a possible connection between this fish and such disasters. In Japanese and Filipino folklore, the oarfish is believed to be a harbinger of natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis, a belief that has earned it the name 'Doomsday fish'. This latest sighting occurred on May 30, 2025, when Tamil Nadu fishermen captured the giant fish, and its video quickly went viral on social media. The fish's shiny, snake-like appearance and distinctive red fins were clearly visible, causing alarm among locals who connected the event to Japanese folklore, specifically ' Ryugu no Sukai ' (messenger of the god of the sea). Watch The Video Here Historical reports have noted the sighting of 20 oarfish prior to the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan, as well as two oarfish before a 6.6 magnitude earthquake in the Philippines in 2017, reinforcing the belief that the presence of oarfish at the surface signals impending disaster. The Times of India report suggests that previous encounters with oarfish have often been associated with tragic events, leading locals to view the fish as a harbinger of doom. For instance, in Mexico, an oarfish was discovered on the shore just before a significant earthquake struck. This perceived connection between the oarfish and disasters has earned it the nickname 'Doomsday Fish" and sparked growing curiosity about its behavior. However, scientific evidence does not support this theory. A 2019 study published in the 'Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America' found no concrete link between oarfish sightings and earthquake events from 1928 to 2011. Researcher Yoshiaki Orihara stated, 'There is no clear link between the sighting of oarfish and earthquakes." Scientists suggest that oarfish may surface due to natural reasons such as changes in ocean currents, temperature fluctuations, or illness. For instance, a 2018 study indicated that climate events like El Niño, which cause higher-than-normal ocean temperatures, can bring oarfish to shallower waters. Marine biologist Thomas Claverie explained that while the sighting of oarfish is rare, it is not always associated with disasters. 'Fishermen see it from time to time, and it is not like there is a tsunami every time," he said. Some experts theorise that subtle pressure changes from deep-sea seismic activity might push the fish to the surface, though this remains unproven. Additionally, oarfish often surface when they are sick or dying. According to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, only 20 oarfish were seen in California from 1901 to 2024, most of which were dead. The recent incident in Tamil Nadu has ignited a debate on social media. While some users believe the fish is a warning of disaster, others consider it a natural phenomenon. One post noted, 'The sighting of oarfish in Tamil Nadu coincided with heavy monsoon but has no connection with the disaster." Although Tamil Nadu recently experienced heavy rainfall, no direct link to the oarfish was found. This event not only highlights the enigmatic nature of the oarfish but also underscores the growing human impact on marine ecosystems. Factors like plastic pollution and climate change are affecting deep-sea creatures, making it crucial to preserve the ocean for species like the oarfish. Watch CNN-News18 here. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos, and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : deep sea creature doomsday Earthquake el nino fishermen Japanese rare Tamil Nadu Location : Tamil Nadu, India, India First Published: June 03, 2025, 17:02 IST News viral 30-Foot 'Doomsday Fish' Caught In Tamil Nadu, Folklore Ties It To Earthquakes, Tsunamis | Watch
Newsweek
25-04-2025
- Science
- Newsweek
Earthquakes Could Be Hiding Secret Nuclear Tests, Say Seismologists
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Earthquakes could be being used as cover for secret nuclear tests, a newly-published review article by leading seismologists has cautioned. The findings come as part of a review article by Joshua Carmichael and colleagues at Los Alamos National Laboratory, published in the latest edition of the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America. According to the analysis, advanced signal detector technology capable of identifying a 1.7-ton buried explosion with a 97 percent success rate only has a 37 percent success rate when seismic signals from that explosion are hidden within the seismic waveforms of an earthquake happening within 100 seconds and around 250 kilometers away from the explosion. Carmichael's review concluded that the overlapping waveforms of explosion and earthquake "obfuscate the ability of even the most sensitive digital signal detectors we have to identify that explosion." These findings contradict a previous 2012 report on "masking," which suggested earthquake signals could not cover up explosion signals. Warning signs about radioactive materials erected at White Sands Missile Range following the detonation of the world's first atomic bomb in Socorro, New Mexico, Warning signs about radioactive materials erected at White Sands Missile Range following the detonation of the world's first atomic bomb in Socorro, New Mexico, SWInsider/Getty The idea of explosions being masked by natural seismic signals will be a source of concern to scientists tasked with monitoring nuclear testing around the world. Under the terms of the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), all nuclear explosions are prohibited whether for military or peaceful purposes. In the review, Carmichael warned that his findings suggest that "background seismicity in regions where there's any sort of seismicity at all is going to measurably and substantially reduce the probability that we can detect signals from an underground explosion at a test site." Carmichael noted that in countries like North Korea, where six nuclear tests have been conducted in the past 20 years, an increase in regional seismic instruments indicates "there's been a lot more low-magnitude seismicity in the vicinity of test sites than we initially realized." North Korea's nuclear program was recently described as being "completely off the charts," with South Korea already being prepared for a potential attack. The review also highlighted how the natural signals from earthquake swarms and other repeating seismic events could also be hidden within overlapping waveforms. In these instances, the masking effect could potentially lead to a drop from 92 percent to 16 percent in detection rates Carmichael said: "This may mean that we probably underestimate a lot of the low magnitude seismicity that is sourced during a swarm or an aftershock sequence." "In other words, we could be largely undercounting the number of earthquakes that occur in these swarms or in certain aftershock sequences." The theory of explosion masking has proven to be difficult to prove in practice. This is largely down to a lack of explosions to examine as well as limited data containing both natural seismic signals and explosions. Rather than simulate explosion data to reach their findings, Carmichael and his colleagues utilized data on explosions and natural seismicity at the Nevada National Security Site. Scaling down the amplitude of the explosion data, they then mixed this waveform with earthquake signals to try and determine if the two could be differentiated by detectors. It's important to note that a coinciding earthquake alone would not be enough to cover up an explosion even of this kind. Multiple factors go into effective nuclear test monitoring, such as looking for the presence of certain radionuclides in the atmosphere. Newsweek has contacted Nuclear Security Technologies, a company at the forefront of detecting and verifying potential nuclear tests worldwide through seismic data, for comment. Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about seismology? Let us know via science@ Reference Carmichael, J. D., Delbridge, B. G., & Alfaro‐Diaz, R. (2025). The Reduced Detection Rate of Signals That Are Hidden by Earthquakes: Case Studies with Spotlight Detectors That Operate at Seismic Arrays. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America.
