The mass stranding of a species of oceanic dolphin on the shores of Ibaraki Prefecture has struck panic in the heart of 2ch netizens.
Although scientists do not fully understand why mass strandings occur among whales and dolphins, there are those who suggest that the movement of tectonic plates prior to earthquakes might sometimes prompt these events.
And when netizens realized that there was a similar mass stranding prior to the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, alarm bells began ringing.
But given that there is no scientific evidence to support the link between mass strandings and earthquakes, is this just online panic-mongering?
From MBS News:
150 Dolphins Washed Ashore On Coast Of Hokota, Ibaraki
Early on the morning of April 10, it was discovered that around 150 dolphins had been washed ashore on the coast of Hokata, Ibaraki Prefecture. At present, the region’s aquarium is conducting a rescue operation.
At around 6:15am, there were reports coming from the Hokota coast, with witnesses saying that “Over 100 dolphins have been washed ashore” and “They are still alive so please save them”.
According to police, there were approximately 150 dolphins washed ashore along 10km of the Hokota coast. The phenomenon of large schools of dolphins being washed ashore is known as “mass stranding”, and the reason behind it is not clearly understood.
“They were alive, too. Makes you wonder if it was done purposely” (Someone who visited the coast)
“Just from the pictures, these are melon-headed whales. It is probably related to the tide somehow, but it doesn’t just happen at high or low tides” (Spokesperson for Ibaraki Prefectural Aquarium, Aqua-world Oarai).
According to Hokata City, rescue operations are continuing.
Comments from 2ch.net:
名無しさん＠１周年:
So it’s happened, huh?
名無しさん＠１周年:
It’s an omen. There’s going to be an earthquake.
名無しさん＠１周年:
Shit. Let’s be careful on April 11. [The Tohoku Earthquake happened on March 11, 2011]
名無しさん＠１周年:
Damn, that means a big earthquake’s a-comin’.
名無しさん＠１周年:
On March 4, 2011, around 50 dolphins washed up ashore in Kashima City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
名無しさん＠１周年: [in response to above]
And this time there were double that!
名無しさん＠１周年:
Idiots be making a fuss.
名無しさん＠１周年:
100 dolphins, that’s a lot.
Fill up your cars, and buy in plenty of water and natto.
名無しさん＠１周年:
Yesterday I kinda couldn’t sleep, and I felt dizzy.
Just as I did before March 11, 2011 w
名無しさん＠１周年:
What a waste.
Can’t we make them into dried fish or something?
名無しさん＠１周年:
Now’s the time to start worrying about nuclear.
名無しさん＠１周年:
Is there going to be an earthquake?
I’d better make some onigiri
名無しさん＠１周年:
It might be because of an earthquake, but it might also be because radioactive waste has started leaking out and is having an effect on them.
名無しさん＠１周年:
Man, I don’t want to die yet.
I mean, what are we gonna do about the Olympics?
名無しさん＠１周年:
There’s too many dolphins.
名無しさん＠１周年:
Earthquake?
Or if not, maybe a volcanic eruption?
名無しさん＠１周年:
Even in other countries, there’s always an earthquake corresponding to the stranding of dolphins and whales.
Now all we can do is calm down and prepare ourselves.
名無しさん＠１周年:
I bet they were chased out of the sea by some sharks that became giant sharks after the nuclear disaster.
名無しさん＠１周年:
Well, everyone’s started preparing for it now, so there won’t be an earthquake after all.
