Outline:
Message circulating via WhatsApp, SMS, and social media warns that a massive earthquake is going to occur tomorrow morning at around 2 am in parts of Africa. It also warns that dangerous cosmic rays will pass close to Earth tonight and may cause terrible damage.
Analysis:
The warning is a hoax. Parts of Africa did experience earthquakes in early April 2017. More quakes and tremors may occur in coming days. However, there are no credible predictions indicating that a massive earthquake is about to hit the region.
And, there are no official government or scientific warnings about a large earthquake. On April 4, South Africa’s Council for Geoscience posted a news update on its website that notes:
The Council for Geoscience would like to assure the South African public that there is no eminent threat to the country, as a result of well-established facts about the relative stability of the African cratonic plates. We’d also like to take the country into confidence by assuring the citizenry that there is no cause for panic. A capable team of Seismologists has been dispatched to Botswana to investigate the earthquake further.
South African news outlet NorthGlen News is also warning people about the hoax, noting:
WHILE South Africans were left shaken by yesterdays tremors which were felt around the country, people are now sharing a message warning of possible seismic activity tonight. Don’t be alarmed by the message though, because everything in it, is a hoax.
And, the claims about dangerous cosmic rays are equally spurious. That supposed warning is derived from another nonsensical hoax message that has circulated for several years.
Report continued below…
A real problem with hoax messages like this one is that they do not specify any actual date. They mention time frames such as “tomorrow morning at around 2 am” or “tonight at 00:30 to 03:30” but they do not say on which date that the events are supposed to occur.
This omission of dates means that these absurd hoaxes can circulate for months or years causing fear and alarm as they travel.
If you receive this message, do not pass it on and please let the sender know that the information is not valid.
Please be advised that the earthquake that happened in some parts of Africa is not yet over because its in rotation form. The researchers under geography are encouraging people to stay awake because a massive earthquake is going to occur tomorrow morning at around 2am. It has been proved that the earthquake is caused by the lava of the volcano that is under pressure beneath the earth’s surface ready to be exposed to the earth’s surface. Countries expected to be affected are Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, part of South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi, Ghana and Madagascar.Tonight at 00:30 to 03:30 make sure to turn off the phone, cellular, tablet, etc … and put away from your body. Singapore television announced the news. Please tell your family and friends. Tonight, 12:30 to 3:30 for our planet will be very high radiation. Cosmic rays will pass close to Earth. So please turn off your cell phone. Do not leave your device close to your body, it can cause you terrible damage. Check Google and NASA BBC News. Send this message to all the people who matter to you.
Original Source : https://www.hoax-slayer.net/hoax-scares-recipients-with-false-claims-of-massive-earthquake/