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A rare and mysterious oarfish, often associated with legends of impending disasters, was spotted struggling in shallow waters off the coast of Mexico earlier this month. The sighting on February 9 near Playa El Quemado beach in Baja California Sur has sparked curiosity—and concern—among locals and social media users alike. A video of the rare encounter quickly went viral, garnering around 21 million views. X user @FearedBuck shared the footage, writing, "A deep-sea creature rarely seen by humans called the oarfish has washed ashore in Mexico! Legend has it that this mysterious ‘doomsday fish’ only emerges from the ocean’s depths when disaster is near."

The Myth of the "Doomsday Fish"

Throughout history, oarfish have been surrounded by superstition. In folklore, they are believed to be harbingers of calamity, with some referring to them as "doomsday fish" or even "messengers of the Dragon Palace." In Japanese mythology, the oarfish is known as “Ryugu no tsukai” (Messenger from the Sea God’s Palace). Many believe these deep-sea creatures surface before natural disasters, particularly earthquakes and tsunamis.

Link Between Oarfish and Earthquakes

The theory that oarfish predict earthquakes gained attention after multiple sightings occurred before the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake in Japan. Some researchers speculate that oarfish may be sensitive to seismic activity due to deep-sea fault lines. However, a 2019 study published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America found no concrete evidence linking oarfish sightings to earthquakes.

Scientific Explanation Behind Oarfish Sightings

Despite popular beliefs, experts argue that oarfish sightings are more likely caused by environmental factors rather than seismic activity. Marine biologists suggest the following reasons for oarfish washing ashore:

  • Illness or injury: Oarfish may suffer from natural ailments that force them to the surface.

  • Deep-sea currents: Changes in ocean currents can push deep-sea creatures into unfamiliar territory.

  • Water temperature and pressure shifts: Sudden changes in the deep-sea environment can disorient marine life, leading to strandings.

While the recent oarfish sighting has reignited myths about impending disasters, scientific research does not support a direct correlation between these rare deep-sea creatures and seismic events. Instead, environmental changes and natural causes likely explain their appearance near shorelines. Regardless of superstition, the sighting remains a fascinating glimpse into one of the ocean’s most elusive species.

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