New Zealand’s deadly ‘supermoon’ earthquake was eerily predicted a full week before it happened – as terrified residents film mystery blue lights during disaster
Nigel Antony Gray warned people the stronger gravitational pull from the moon made a large quake much more likely around November 14
A CONSPIRACY THEORIST appears to have eerily predicted the massive earthquake which struck New Zealand yesterday – a full week before it happened.
The 7.8 magnitude quake was followed by a two-metre (6ft 5in) tall tsunami wave and a series of powerful aftershocks yesterday, killing two and destroying homes and businesses.
But Kiwi Nigel Antony Gray appears to have tried to warn people seven days ago that there was an increased risk of earthquakes during the “supermoon” phenomenon.
In a Facebook post that has since been deleted, Gray wrote: “On November 14 and a couple of days either side of that date, watch for a major earthquake, and quite possible in the South Pacific area.”
He goes on to explain the reason for this is that November 14 will be a “supermoon”.
This is when the moon is closest to the Earth in its orbit, making it appear bigger in the sky.
Gray continued: “This means it will be a period of increased gravitational pull from the moon.
“There was a recent large earthquake in Italy and as when one plate shifts it places stress on other plates, the chances of a big quake are higher for something down this end of the globe.”
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Gray went on to encourage people to prepare by stocking up on food and water.
He added: “This is just a possibility but be alert, that is all I am saying.”
The post went viral soon after the quake hit, and Gray’s name has been discussed more than 38,000 times on Facebook.
Terrified residents reported seeing bright flashing blue lights in the sky during the earthquake, with several videos of the mysterious lights appearing online.
The 'earthquake light' phenomenon is caused by rocks rubbing together as the Earth's crust shakes, creating an electric charge.
The charge travels through cracks in rocks caused by the quake, ionising pockets of air in the atmosphere, and creating plasma that emits light.
The phenomenon has only been reported in 0.5 per cent of earthquakes, and is only seen in quakes with a magnitude of five or higher.
US experts said the disaster yesterday hit the city of Christchurch in the New Zealand's South Island, which is still recovering from a deadly 6.3 magnitude quake five years ago that killed 185 people.
The US Geological Survey said the epicentre was some 60 miles (100km) from the city and posted maps showing the areas affected by the shock.
The epicentre was located around 10 miles north-east (15km) of Culverden in South Island and some 10 miles below the Earth's surface.
It is understood to have struck just after midnight local time – 11.02 GMT on Sunday – with the first tsunami wave hitting the coast some two hours later.
Prime Minister John Key confirmed on Sunday evening (GMT) that two people had lost their lives and several more had been badly injured.
Speaking nearly seven hours after the earthquake first hit, the PM said "we cannot rule out" that the number of fatalities may continue to rise.
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