Throughout human history, humans have looked toward nature for signs of an impending disaster. Their observations typically stemmed from a mixture of real recognizable patterns in nature and cultural beliefs. For example, they noticed that birds would suddenly leave the area just before earthquakes and storms and dogs would start acting anxious. They even noticed that certain flowers would close prematurely when there was some sort of environmental stress. Then there is the doomsday fish (oarfish), which is believed to make an appearance just before an earthquake.
The Appearance of the Doomsday Fish
For the second time in just three months, a large and rare fish that is regarded as a sign of impending doom has washed up on Californian shores. The oarfish was found by UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography on Grandview Beach’s shoreline in early November. Since sighting these creatures is a rare occurrence, it was taken to a lab so that its anatomy, biology, and genomics could be studied.
Now the Lab Has Two Oarfish Specimens
The oarfish found in November is now the second one in the lab’s possession. In August, a dead doomsday fish was found by kayakers just 20 miles south of Grandview Beach. These are considered rather rare occurrences as oarfish dwell in the deep sea and are seldom observed by humans. Typically, their carcasses don’t float into the shallower waters, which makes these discoveries quite strange. Since 1901, only 20 Doomsday fish have washed up on Californian shores.
The Harbinger of Doom
According to the Ocean Conservatory, oarfish are silvery, long odd-looking fish with ribbon-shaped bodies that can grow to approximately 30 feet in length. It has long been rumoured that these fish appear just before natural disasters such as earthquakes. In fact, the oarfish that washed up in August was found only two days before an earthquake shook Los Angeles.
Claims Debunked
Despite these age-old claims, researchers state that the idea that they appear before natural disasters has long been debunked. According to the manager of the Scripps Oceanography Marine Vertebrate Collection, Ben Frable, “It may have to do with changes in ocean conditions and increased numbers of oarfish off our coast”. In some instances, the sightings can be linked to broader conditional shifts such as the La Niña and El Niño cycles. These cycles cause warm and cool phases across the tropical Pacific. Interestingly, there was actually a weak El Niño earlier in 2024. The Doomsday fish carcass sightings also coincided with other potential causes such as the Santa Ana winds and red tide. However, there are many other variables that could have caused the Doomsday fish to be stranded on the shoreline.
Information About the Doomsday Fish
Also known as the Giant oarfish (Regalecus glesne), the Doomsday fish lives in the Mediterranean Sea’s mesopelagic zone, as well as the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The oarfish also holds the record for the longest bony fish in the world! While they live in the deep waters during the day, they will swim to the surface to feed at night. They feed on crustaceans, squid, plankton, and krill. The myth of the Doomsday fish originated in Japan, where it was known as “ryugu no tsukai”. This name translates to “the messenger from the sea dragon god’s palace”. It was believed that the Doomsday Fish would rise from the deep to warn humanity about impending disasters.
Meaning or Coincidence?
Researchers maintain that the appearance of the fish prior to disasters is simply a coincidence. Yet, when one considers how often this has occurred, it is easy to see why so many people still believe in this myth. For example, 20 oarfish washed ashore in Japan a few months before a powerful earthquake struck the region in 2011. Then, of course, there was the incident in August which we mentioned earlier. Based on its sinewy and striking design, it’s no wonder that people associate it with myths and legends. In fact, some believe that it was the original creature that gave rise to the old notion of legendary sea serpents.
The Bottom Line on the Doomsday Fish
The mysterious oarfish continues to captivate imaginations as a harbinger of doom, despite scientific evidence suggesting otherwise. Its rare appearances fuel myths and folklore, tying the deep-sea dweller to natural disasters like earthquakes. While researchers attribute these sightings to environmental factors such as oceanic shifts and weather phenomena, the oarfish’s striking appearance and coincidental timing keep the legend alive. Whether a sign from nature or mere coincidence, the oarfish constantly reminds us of humanity’s fascination with the unknown and our enduring quest to find meaning in the mysteries of the natural world.
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