Doomsday Fish Sighting in California Sparks Concerns Amid Bomb Cyclone Threats

A recent discovery of the deep-sea oarfish, also known as the “doomsday fish,” on the shores of Encinitas, California, has sparked widespread speculation, especially as the region braces for a bomb cyclone. This rare sighting, the third in the past three months, has revived unsettling associations with natural disasters, particularly with the ongoing storm threats in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest.

The fish was found on November 6 by Alison Laferriere, a PhD candidate at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, who described the creature as measuring 9 to 10 feet in length. While oarfish typically reside in deep ocean waters, their appearance on land has historically been linked to seismic activity, particularly in Japanese folklore, where sightings are often seen as an omen of impending earthquakes or tsunamis. The creature’s most recent spotting follows a pattern of unusual sightings, including a 12-foot-long oarfish in La Jolla Cove in August.

Experts from Scripps are examining the fish to learn more about its biology, anatomy, and life history. While there is no direct evidence linking the appearance of oarfish to earthquakes, the string of sightings has garnered attention as the region prepares for extreme weather conditions. In addition to the oarfish discovery, Northern California is facing severe weather, including heavy rains and strong winds from the bomb cyclone that could disrupt the area from Tuesday to Friday.