Did Oarfish Predict The Japanese Earthquake?

By now, you’re probably familiar with the idea that animals can often “predict” natural disasters and changes in weather with their behavior. Well, the humble oarfish, a long, serpentine fish found in warm waters around the world, may have helped the more observant become aware that an earthquake was about to hit Japan.

According to Japanese folklore, the appearance of oarfish (known as “Messengers from the Sea God’s Palace”) on and near beaches is said to be a sign that an earthquake can’t be too far off. And that’s just what happened between December of 2009 and March of this year – unusual numbers of oarfish, which are typically rarely seen, washed up on Japan’s shores.

A news report from early March asked whether the “sea serpents’ arrival” was “puzzling, or portentous:”

There have been reports of the fish being caught in stationary nets or drifting ashore since the start of winter. Some people theorize the phenomenon may foretell a big quake, but others aren’t so sure.

Apparently, the fish’s tendency to beach itself in anticipation of an earthquake is due to its ability to feel movements in seismic fault lines.

Take a look at this video about oarfish – we’re pretty sure we’d be downright terrified were we to stumble upon one of these at the beach, earthquake or no earthquake:

h/t Wikipedia and Japan Times

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