Tsunami of Misinformation on the Internet

After a seismic event with a magnitude of 7.6 struck Japan, official authorities promptly issued a Tsunami warning. Unfortunately, amidst the aftermath, numerous videos and images falsely linked to the recent calamity began circulating online. In response to this misinformation, we conducted a thorough fact-checking process to verify the authenticity of these materials being shared online, claiming that they originated from the earthquake in Japan.

Fact Check 1

A video uploaded on January 1, 2024, depicts a tidal wave striking three individuals, and claims surfaced that it originated from the recent earthquake in Japan. However, upon investigation, we discovered that the video dates back to 2021 and is from Indonesia. Specifically, the footage captures a Bono Wave, also known as a tidal bore, which is a rare phenomenon occurring in select rivers globally, including the Kampar River in Sumatra, Indonesia. Thus, the video is unrelated to the recent seismic activity in Japan.

Fact Check 2

A video claiming to show big waves from the recent earthquake in Japan has been proven false. The video, suggesting a 0.4-meter tsunami near a nuclear power plant, is actually from 2011, showing a tsunami hitting Miyako town in Japan. It has nothing to do with the recent earthquake.

Fact Check 3

A video depicting cars being carried away by massive waves, shared with the false claim that it’s from the recent earthquake in Japan, has been fact-checked. The video originates from the 2011 tsunami that engulfed Kamaishi City. We traced it back to a Japanese news YouTube channel, where it was posted on June 13, 2013, confirming that it is an older video and not related to the recent earthquake in Japan.

Fact Check 4

The video shows a massive wave transporting cars into the city. Upon investigation, it was found to be an extended segment of footage capturing the 2011 tsunami wave as it struck the Japanese town of Miyako. Therefore, it is not associated with the recent calamity in Japan.

Fact Check 5

A video depicting the interior of a hospital with a few panicked nurses shared with the claim that it’s from the recent earthquake in Japan, is inaccurate. In reality, the footage is from the February 6, 2023, Turkey Earthquake, showing a hospital in Gaziantep.

Fact Check 6

A shared image depicts a road destroyed by an earthquake, with a claim that it is from Japan. In our fact check we found that the picture initially claimed to be from Japan, is, in fact, from the Alaska Earthquake that struck the city in the year 2021.

These instances emphasize the need for vigilance in verifying information to prevent the spread of false news during crises.