Confirmation the Day Before the Kamchatka Peninsula Earthquake
Earthquake Connection Theory Spreads on SNS, ‘Following the discovery of four whales on a Japanese beach just before a strong earthquake in Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, a theory linking this to a precursor of earthquakes is gaining traction on social media (SNS).’,
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Four whales are washed up on a beach in Tateyama, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, on the 30th. Yonhap News,
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, ‘According to a report by the Asahi Shimbun on the 30th, a report was filed with the police around 6 p.m. on the 29th that four whales were washed up on a beach in Tateyama, Chiba Prefecture. These whales, appearing on the coast near the metropolitan area, were alive and measured 7-8 meters in length.’,
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, ‘Subsequently, at around 8:25 a.m. on the 30th, a magnitude 8.8 earthquake occurred in Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, rapidly spreading posts linking the whale appearance to the earthquake on SNS. Some netizens speculated, “The mass appearance of whales is a precursor to the earthquake.”‘,
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, ‘Regarding this, a representative from Japan’s National Museum of Nature and Science stated, “The discovered whales appear to be sperm whales” and noted, “Although they are sometimes spotted in the waters near Tateyama, it is unusual for four to wash ashore together.” The representative also mentioned, “If there was unusual noise from the seabed before the earthquake, it is uncertain what impact it might have had.”‘,
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, ‘However, Asahi Shimbun pointed out, “These phenomena are difficult to scientifically verify, and local investigations are needed to determine the cause.” In fact, about a week before the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, approximately 50 melon-headed whales were stranded on a beach in Ibaraki Prefecture near Fukushima, but a university research team previously denied any connection between the event and the earthquake.’,
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, ‘A representative of a nonprofit organization investigating the whale stranding site also emphasized, “Whales are found on beaches almost daily,” and stressed that “there is no evidence to prove direct linkage with the earthquake.” They added, “If somehow a tsunami occurs, people may visit the site, but approaching the whales can be dangerous as one might get hit by a tail fin.”‘,
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