Oarfish, with their elongated, ribbon-like bodies and striking orange fins, are rarely seen creatures of the deep sea. However, when they appear in shallow waters or wash ashore, they often spark curiosity and, more significantly, fear. This is because oarfish are deeply rooted in folklore as harbingers of impending natural disasters, earning them the ominous nickname “doomsday fish”.

Doomsday Oarfish

The Myth of the Doomsday Fish

The association of oarfish with disaster is particularly strong in Japanese mythology. Known as “Ryugu no tsukai” – or “Messenger from the Sea God’s Palace” – these fish are believed to surface before major earthquakes and tsunamis to deliver a warning from higher powers. This belief dates back centuries and continues to fuel speculation whenever oarfish are spotted.

Instances where oarfish sightings preceded significant seismic events have further solidified this superstition. For example, in the months leading up to the devastating 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan, over 20 oarfish washed ashore on Japanese beaches. Similarly, an oarfish was sighted near Taiwan before the earthquake that hit Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture on January 1, 2024. The discovery of a dead oarfish off the coast of La Jolla, California, just days before a 4.4 magnitude earthquake hit Los Angeles, also added fuel to the fire.

Scientific Explanations

Despite the compelling folklore, scientists remain skeptical about a direct causal link between oarfish appearances and seismic activity. A 2019 study published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America found no concrete evidence to support the connection. Instead, experts suggest that environmental factors and natural causes are more likely explanations for oarfish sightings. These include:

  • Illness or injury: Oarfish suffering from natural ailments may be forced 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.
  • Electrostatic charges: It is theoretically possible that the build-up of pressure in rocks before an earthquake can lead to electrostatic charges that cause electrically-charged ions to be released into the water, potentially harming or disorienting the fish.
  • Release of carbon monoxide: Before an earthquake, large quantities of carbon monoxide may be released from the seabed, which could affect deep-sea creatures like the oarfish, forcing them into unfamiliar shallow waters.

The Enduring Debate

Oarfish sightings continue to spark public interest and debate. While scientists advocate for scientific explanations, many people remain convinced that these deep-sea creatures are harbingers of disaster. Social media platforms often buzz with speculation and concern following oarfish appearances.

Whether oarfish sightings are a result of environmental factors, natural occurrences, or genuine omens of disaster remains to be seen. Regardless, these rare glimpses into the deep sea continue to fascinate and remind us of the mysteries that lie beneath the ocean’s surface.

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