In an intriguing sequence of events, prominent Dutch seismologist, Frank Hoogerbeets, had recently issued a prediction of heightened seismic activity in Southeast Asia. Shortly after his announcement, Japan promptly signaled a tsunami alert for its eastern islands, only to withdraw the warning the following Monday.
Dutch seismologist Frank Hoogerbeets (Facebook)
Hoogerbeets, on the previous Wednesday, used his account on X (formerly Twitter), to share concerns about escalating seismic activity around the Philippine Sea Plate. “On September 23rd, the region experienced significant turbulence. Stay extra vigilant. #Philippines, #Taiwan, #Japan,” he tweeted, intriguingly pinpointing the Philippines, Taiwan, and Japan in his message, and attaching maps marking the at-risk areas.
Increased #earthquake activity continues on both sides of the Philippine Sea plate. On 23 September a major fluctuation marked the region. Be on extra alert, just in case. #Philippines, #Taiwan, #Japan. pic.twitter.com/jKzwquLuOh
— Frank Hoogerbeets (@hogrbe) October 4, 2023
Following the Dutch scientist’s alert, Japan, by Thursday morning, warned of potential 1-meter-high tsunami waves approaching the islands off the Izu Peninsula on its eastern coast. However, this alert was lifted in about two hours with no reported damages.
Contrary to Hoogerbeets’ forecast, Japan rescinded a broad tsunami warning today, previously issued for two islands south of the capital, Tokyo. The cancellation came five hours after its issuance for the Izu and Ogasawara islands, located approximately a thousand kilometers south of Tokyo. No significant damages were reported as per media outlets.
The alert had been a response to an earthquake near Torishima Island at 5:25 a.m. (Japanese Time), as reported by the Japan Meteorological Agency. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) detected a 4.9 magnitude quake in the vicinity. Japan’s Broadcasting Authority mentioned that tidal waves did indeed reach some islands with heights up to 60 centimeters.
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Initial Warning by | Frank Hoogerbeets (Dutch Seismologist) |
| Region of Concern | Philippines, Taiwan, Japan |
| Japan’s Tsunami Alert | Issued and then retracted for islands off the Izu Peninsula |
| Reason for Alert | Earthquake near Torishima Island, 4.9 magnitude (as per USGS) |
| Hoogerbeets’ Theory | Earthquakes linked to planetary movement and alignment |
Interestingly, while geologists largely concur that earthquakes are unpredictable, Hoogerbeets remains staunch in defending his theory. He attributes terrestrial seismic activity to the movement and alignment of planets, a stance that has faced skepticism from his peers.
