Japanese belief in link between deep-sea fish sightings and quakes finally debunked
- There is a long-held belief in Japan that when deep-sea fish rise to the surface a disaster is near
- Researchers compared earthquake records and fish sightings and concluded there is no link
A long-held belief in Japan that sightings of deep-sea fish foretell major earthquakes is simply a superstition, according to a research team from two universities.
The researchers from Tokai University and the University of Shizuoka reached the conclusion after comparing earthquake records with cases in which deep-sea fish were found beached or caught in fishing nets over around 90 years.
The belief that deep-sea fish sightings are connected with earthquakes has its roots in a mermaid legend found in the “Shokoku Rijin Dan”, a collection of strange tales published in the 18th century.
According to lore, the fish rise to the surface and beach themselves ahead of an impending earthquake.
There are also scientific theories that bottom-dwelling fish may be susceptible to movements in seismic fault lines and act in uncharacteristic ways before an earthquake.