However, many experts have already rubbished his claims earlier, saying that earthquake are not possible to predict. (Photo Credit: Representative)
New Delhi:
A massive earthquake measuring up to 8.0 on Richter scale may hit South America, Central America and Caribbean’s Puerto Rico in the coming days, according to seismic website Ditrianum.
A self-proclaimed seismic researcher named Frank Hoogerbeets said: “Critical planetary and lunar geometry may trigger large seismic activity, possibly high 6 to 7, maybe 8 magnitude. 7.”
On his website, Ditrianum, Frank Hoogerbeets said: “This indication does not mean that other regions are excluded. We advice everyone in earthquake prone countries to have some earthquake plan in place so that you know what to do when an earthquake occurs. It may significantly raise the chance of survival.”
However, many experts have already rubbished his claims earlier, saying that earthquake are not possible to predict.
Hoogerbeets, on his website, claims that he was using an advanced system named Solar System Geometry Index (SSGI) to predict potential earthquakes that will happen in the future.
"Also, contrary to what is falsely being claimed, we are not part of any conspiracy theory group. We are not against anyone or anything. We provide information in an impartial manner about the seismic effects from specific planetary and lunar geometry," Hoogerbeets says.
The report comes even as a flurry of earthquakes topped by a magnitude 6.4 temblor killed one person and damaged hundreds of buildings in Puerto Rico. Many have accused the government of being caught unready again.
More than two years ago, Hurricane Maria had revealed that was utterly unprepared for a powerful hurricane despite its location in one of the world's most storm-vulnerable regions.
Lugo, a former emergency management director for Puerto Rico, told The Associated Press that the government didn't activate its emergency command centre until the day after the largest quake hit, breaking with protocol.
A flurry of hundreds of small quakes began hitting Puerto Rico on December 28, and a magnitude 5.8 jolt that toppled a famed rock formation landmark struck on January 6, Three Kings' Day, a major holiday on the island.
A 5.3 magnitude earthquake shook the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca on Thursday, causing some damage, according to local authorities. The quake struck south of Ciudad Ixtepec, according to the National Seismological Service.
"There is damage in the area near the isthmus due to tonight's earthquake. We are monitoring the area," state Civil Protection authorities said on Twitter.
The local Civil Protection coordinator, Heliodoro Diaz, separately said that two houses had been damaged in Matias Romero, a town in the southeast of the state.
Oaxaca was previously hit by an 8.2 magnitude earthquake on September 7, 2017, causing damage in several towns.
Nearly two weeks later, on September 19, a deadly 7.1 magnitude quake hit further north. A total of 369 people were killed in the quake which shook several central states and Mexico City.
