stock here: we noted the recent unusual EQ activity in Hawaii.
There have been 22 OarFish strandings in California since 1901. But 3 of them have been since August of 2024!!! There was also a Slew of Oarfish in 2013, and a DOZEN in Japan prior to the great Tohoku earthquake and tsunami
August 10, 2024: A 12-foot oarfish was discovered by kayakers and snorkelers near La Jolla Cove. The specimen was transported to the NOAA facility for necropsy to determine the cause of death.
People
September 2024: Another oarfish washed ashore in Huntington Beach. Details about this incident are less specific, but it contributed to the unusual frequency of sightings that year.
KUOW
November 6, 2024: A 9- to 10-foot oarfish was found on Grandview Beach in Encinitas by a researcher from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. This marked the third such occurrence in Southern California since August 2024.
KUOWThese recent strandings have intrigued researchers, prompting investigations into potential causes. Factors such as changes in ocean conditions, including El Niño and La Niña cycles, red tides, and weather events like Santa Ana winds, are being considered as possible contributors to these unusual appearances.
People
In Japanese folklore, oarfish are often regarded as harbingers of natural disasters, particularly earthquakes. However, scientific studies have found no significant correlation between oarfish strandings and seismic activity.
Between 2013 and 2014, an unusual series of oarfish (Regalecus russelii) strandings occurred along the California coastline and other parts of the world, drawing significant attention from both the public and scientific communities. These deep-sea creatures, typically inhabiting depths between 300 and 3,000 feet, are rarely observed near the surface, making their beachings particularly noteworthy.
Documented Strandings in 2013-2014:
October 13, 2013: A 14-foot oarfish was discovered off Catalina Island, California. This rare find garnered widespread media coverage and sparked curiosity about the species.
October 18, 2013: Just days later, another oarfish, measuring approximately 18 feet, washed ashore in Oceanside, California. The proximity in timing and location to the previous stranding raised questions among researchers.
Subsequent Months: Additional oarfish strandings were reported in various locations, including Japan and the Philippines, during this period. The frequency of these events was unusual compared to historical records.Scientific Investigations:
The spate of strandings prompted scientific investigations to understand potential causes. Misty Paig-Tran, an associate professor of biological science at California State University, Fullerton, studied four of the oarfish that washed ashore during this timeframe. Her research aimed to gather insights into the biology and possible reasons for the sudden increase in strandings.
Potential Explanations:
Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the increased frequency of oarfish strandings during 2013-2014:
Environmental Factors: Changes in ocean conditions, such as temperature fluctuations, could have affected oarfish behavior, leading them closer to shore.
Seismic Activity: In Japanese folklore, oarfish are considered harbingers of earthquakes. However, scientific studies, including one conducted in Japan in 2019, found no significant correlation between oarfish strandings and seismic events.
Health and Disorientation: Illness or disorientation may cause oarfish to stray from their deep-sea habitats, resulting in strandings.Conclusion:
The 2013-2014 oarfish strandings provided a rare opportunity for scientific study of this elusive species. While the exact causes remain uncertain, these events highlighted the importance of monitoring deep-sea species as potential indicators of ocean health and environmental changes.
And as you would expect, NPR flips the Scripped, and positions Oarfish as a “savior”, WOW. Scroll all the way down for that Gem.
https://www.npr.org/2024/11/19/nx-s1-5196630/oarfish-california-japan-folklore