Intuition suggests that earthquakes have a greater impact on land, but do they affect marine animals as well? The answer is yes, and marine animals exhibit specific reactions to earthquakes. On March 28, a rare strong earthquake occurred in Myanmar, leading to unusual scenes on the seafloor off Thailand. Large schools of fish collectively reacted during the earthquake, a phenomenon attributed to their instincts.
The Reaction of Fish During Earthquakes
Assistant Professor Thon Thamrongnawasawat from the Department of Fisheries at Kasetsart University in Thailand shared three underwater photos on Facebook on March 29. A friend of Professor Thon was diving in the Similan Islands when the earthquake struck, unexpectedly witnessing a peculiar phenomenon: "During the earthquake, schools of fish around the coral reef lay still on the seafloor!" While it's not unusual for a single fish to rest, it's rare for an entire school to do so, especially during the day when fish are typically active.
Professor Thon believes that fish can sense earthquakes due to their sensitivity to vibrations in the water. The collective behavior of lying flat on the seafloor may be an instinctual response. During earthquakes, water currents can be disrupted, potentially triggering tsunamis. By lying on the bottom, fish reduce their risk of being swept away by currents or waves, similar to how humans might take cover during an earthquake.
Observations of Other Marine Animals
Volunteers observing manatees noted that these creatures quickly responded to the earthquake by leaving shallow waters and swimming towards deeper areas. This behavior is part of their instinct to avoid tsunamis, which explains why manatees are rarely stranded on beaches during such events. The movement of tectonic plates causes the seafloor to vibrate like the ground during an earthquake.
Can Marine Animals Predict Earthquakes?
While marine animals, including fish, can detect seismic waves earlier than humans, they cannot predict earthquakes hours in advance. Although some claim that animals can provide early warnings, Professor Thon suggests that this means animals can perceive seismic activity sooner than humans but not significantly earlier.
The photographs of fish behavior during the earthquake have astonished over 28,000 people worldwide, highlighting the fascinating reactions of marine life to seismic events.
