Wikimedia Commons
Reports that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration predicted a massive earthquake will hit Delhi, India in April 2018 are false. The rumor stemmed from a series of error-laden messages and is nothing more than a viral hoax.
According to Snopes, the false claim was circulated in messages on WhatsApp, a popular messaging platform. The message, which can be seen below, claimed a 9.1 magnitude earthquake would rock Delhi at the beginning of next month.
According to NASA, the biggest earthquake will hit Delhi soon. The Rector’s Scale is 9.1 or may be 9.2.
Date has not cleared yet but it may occur in Between 7th of April to 15th April.
Loss of life has declared in Lacs.
The Centre of This Biggest rector’s scale earthquake would be Gurugram.
This is the 2nd time in World’s History that huge loss of life and property has declared by NASA.
This is biggest Earthquake may occure in Delhi NCR.
Spread to all your relatives or friends who stay in Delhi NCR.
This earthquake will be the largest as it covers the areas like In India ( Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, J&K to Tamilnadu, Rajasthan to Bihar.
In Pakistan Rector’s Scale would be 4-4.2 maximum.
If possible move at least for a week from Delhi NCR.
Govt will take action very soon on This to save life of People.For More Details
www.nasaalert.com
There is no truth, however, to the viral messages and social media warnings. NASA did not send any alerts regarding an impending earthquake in India that was “predicted” to be a magnitude 9.1 or 9.2 on the Richter scale and likely never would for several reasons. First, the United States Geological Survey would send any earthquake-related alerts, not NASA—and they would only be sent once an earthquake happened, not weeks ahead of time. Second, earthquakes cannot be predicted. As the USGS explains:
Neither the USGS nor any other scientists have ever predicted a major earthquake. We do not know how, and we do not expect to know how any time in the foreseeable future. An earthquake prediction must define 3 elements: 1) the date and time, 2) the location, and 3) the magnitude.
While an early warning system is being developed, any potential alerts would only be sent seconds before an earthquake’s arrival, not weeks in advance. The viral messages about a massive earthquake hitting Delhi, India in April 2018 is a hoax.
Here are some examples of people talking about the hoax on social media:
Social Media Shares Hoax about NASA Predicting Earthquake In India
Is the news opabout upcoming massive earthquake in Delhi (NCR) true? Read from a what’s app forward.. the message was telling that is #NASA approved ? #earthquake #india #hoax ? #whatsappforward #answer @NASA @NASA_Astronauts @NASAHubble
— Ananyanymous (@AnanyaKanojia) March 20, 2018
Hi @NASA there is whats app message circulating in India that ,NASA has found that Delhi to be hit by earthquake https://t.co/QElm3Ch3BW
— randhir singh (@11seven1989) March 21, 2018
@NASA have u predicted an earthquake in delhi india in april
— SoniG (@Soni_G_007) March 20, 2018
Dear @NASA
There has been a message circulating in almost whole of north India that an Earthquake of magnitude 9.1 is going to hit Delhi NCR region anywhere between 7th to 15th of April, 2018, apparently been predicted by you. Kindly clarify regarding this news. Thank you.— Sara (@blissforever36) March 22, 2018
It’s amazing the number of forwards I have received on WhatsApp about the FAKE NASA ALERT for an earthquake about to hit North India! It’s almost as if people prefer to create panic and believe in doomsday threats rather than apply logic and caution. #FakeNews #Disappointed
— Neha Barjatya (@nehabarjatya) March 22, 2018
”NASA warns 9.1 magnitude earthquake in Delhi between 7-15 April.” Oh no it is just a hoax. What do people get by making everybody panic!
— taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen) March 21, 2018
Have you seen the hoax about NASA predicting an earthquake in Delhi, India in April 2018 circulating social media? How do you feel about WhatsApp being used to spread false information? Sound off in the comments section below!
Photo credit: NASA Earth Observatory, Wikimedia Commons
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