May 14 Philippine Earthquake Prediction A Hoax
May 14th, 2008 | By Master Diwa | Category: Main Story, PersonalJust a few a hours ago today, text messages and mass online messages have been circulating giving warning that there will be a magnitude 6.8 Earthquake happening tonight (May 14) in the Philippines. Well after a few simple google searches, I was able to confirm if this is a legitimate prediction.
This was the mass message that circulated today, and I quote:
Today, may 14, 8.00 pm local time a 6.8 magnitude quake is gonna hit my country, the Philippines, said the US Hawaii Geological Society.
I decided to visit some legitimate sites including the website of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). And look what I found: an announcement clarifying the rumor, here’s what it says at PHIVOLCS’ website:
PHIVOLCS CLARIFICATION
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology would like to inform the general public that the text message currently circulating in the Philippines about a prediction by a certain “US Geological Society” of a “magnitude 6.8 earthquake to hit Philippine Plates tonight”, purportedly issued by the “Hawaii State Emergency Preparedness Office” IS A HOAX. This hoax started the day after the Magnitude 7.9 China earthquake of May 12, 2008.
There is no organization currently capable of predicting an earthquake which is very specific in terms of magnitude and the date. There is no “US Geological Society”, only US Geological SURVEY but this agency does not issue immediate predictions especially for areas outside the United States of America. Past experiences show that rumors of a predicted strong earthquake are common after disastrous earthquakes in nearby countries.
The Philippines can be affected by a major earthquake but as to when exactly this would happen cannot be predicted and what is important is we continue to practice earthquake preparedness and risk reduction measures.
There you go, I hope this post helps quell the rumors. Whoever thought of that prank is a sick person.
Related Links
Phivolcs Website
Phivolcs Announcement
Looking for a good hoax? Have you considered buying fake high school diplomas or a college diploma? Gag college diplomas make for a funny decoration in a home office! What will your family say when you arrive at home with a diploma from a school of your choice?
Hahaha. Na-alala ko bigla yung tungkol dun sa serial killer. Yung kumalat na balita dati. XDD
Thanks for the confirmation. :3
anu po b ung hoax?
ang lalim ksi ng english ehhhh….
God, I got this from my sister telling me that her tutor told her about the earthquake and I almost got pissed at my sister for being so light-hearted about it. LOL. Good thing I didn’t. xD
Anyway, I saw it in the news that it was confirmed as a hoax. I was really relieved. And I have to agree with you, whoever started it must be quite a moron.
People actually believed this stuff?
To quote the song “Banditos” ,
“Everybody knows
That the world is full of stupid people…”
daniel, hoax is a girl fox. got it? lesson learned everybody: stop watching telenovelas and start reading. Many believed the hoax bec. they did’t know any better. it’s a window to how messed up the Filipino’s sense of educating him/herself. read. read. read. or watch natl geographic, discovery, history channel. again, hoax is a gril fox. or is it ox?
Main Entry:
1hoax Listen to the pronunciation of 1hoax
Pronunciation:
\ˈhōks\
Function:
transitive verb
Etymology:
probably contraction of hocus
Date:
circa 1796
: to trick into believing or accepting as genuine something false and often preposterous
— hoax·er noun
For you guys not to fight and to correct each other..Stupids!