‘Doomsday Fish’ Found in Chile: Massive 16-Foot Oarfish Washes Ashore on Beach, Reigniting Folklore on Natural Disasters
A 16-foot oarfish washed ashore in Arica, Chile, on October 20, reviving ancient folklore linking the deep-sea 'doomsday fish' to impending earthquakes and tsunamis. While the sighting sparked public anxiety online, marine biologists dismissed any link to tectonic activity, explaining the creature was likely carried ashore by strong ocean currents.
A massive 16-foot "doomsday fish" has washed ashore on a beach in Chile, sparking new fears among locals that a devastating natural disaster could be imminent. The serpent-like oarfish was discovered by fishermen on a beach in Arica on Tuesday, October 20. The rare appearance of the deep-sea creature has immediately reignited ancient folklore that ties its arrival to impending earthquakes and tsunamis.
The species, biologically known as Regalecus glesne, is often referred to in global folklore as the "Doomsday Fish." In Japanese mythology, they are called Ryugu no Tsukai - meaning "Messenger from the Sea God's Palace" - and are traditionally believed to rise from the depths to warn of impending earthquakes or tsunamis, according to WION News. ‘Doomsday’ Fish in Australia: Massive Oarfish Washes Ashore on Beach in Tasmania, Pic Goes Viral.
Mythology and Modern Superstitions
This superstition gained modern traction in 2011, when approximately a dozen oarfish were reported along Japan's coastlines in the months leading up to the devastating Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.
The latest sighting has renewed these anxieties online, with thousands of social media users questioning if a major seismic event is on the horizon. The coastal city of Arica, situated near the active subduction zone of the Nazca and South American tectonic plates, frequently experiences seismic activity, which further amplified local discussions.
Marine Biologists Dispel Earthquake Connection
However, marine biologists have stepped in to dispel the panic, emphasizing that there is no scientific evidence connecting oarfish sightings to tectonic activity.
Oarfish typically inhabit the ocean's mesopelagic zone, living at depths of up to 3,300 feet where they feed primarily on plankton. Because they are weak swimmers that rely on undulating fin movements, experts state they are easily overwhelmed by strong underwater currents.
Ocean Currents and Biological Factors
According to scientists, when these deep-sea fish become sick, injured, or disoriented by shifting ocean temperatures, they lose the ability to navigate. They are subsequently pushed by the tide into shallow waters, where they eventually wash ashore.
Researchers reiterate that while encounters with these ribbon-like creatures remain unusual due to their remote habitat, their beachings represent natural biological strandings driven by weather shifts and oceanic currents rather than precursors to seismic hazards.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 23, 2026 07:31 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).