The Jeddah Astronomical Society, through its president, Engineer Majid Abu Zahra, confirmed that there is no scientific basis for linking the planetary alignment phenomenon to increased seismic activity on Earth. This clarification came in response to a wave of misinformation circulating on social media, particularly that promoted by a Dutchman named Frank Hoogbaits, who warned of devastating earthquakes that might coincide with the so-called "pentacorn alignment" expected to occur in January 2026. These warnings sparked widespread and unwarranted public anxiety.
Abu Zahra explained that earthquakes are a purely geological phenomenon, arising from the continuous movement of the tectonic plates that make up the Earth's crust. When pressures accumulate along geological faults to a degree exceeding the rock's capacity to withstand them, a sudden slip occurs, releasing enormous energy in the form of seismic waves. This process is linked to the Earth's internal dynamics and is not affected by the positions of other planets in the solar system.
Historical context and scientific background
Linking astronomical phenomena to earthly disasters is nothing new. Since ancient times, civilizations have looked to the heavens for signs and omens, and celestial events such as eclipses, comet appearances, or planetary alignments were often interpreted as harbingers of impending calamities. However, modern science has made tremendous strides in understanding the universe, distinguishing between astronomy, based on observation and precise calculations, and astrology, which lacks any empirical basis. Claims linking planetary gravity to earthquakes fall into the category of pseudoscience, as the gravitational force exerted by other planets on Earth is negligible compared to the immense tectonic forces within our own planet, or even to the moon's gravity, whose most obvious effect is the tides.
The importance of the phenomenon and its real impact
From a scientific perspective, planetary alignments are a fascinating visual phenomenon for astronomy enthusiasts and photographers, showing several planets appearing close together in a small portion of the sky when viewed from Earth. However, this apparent proximity does not mean they are actually close to each other in space; the distances between them remain vast, estimated at hundreds of millions of kilometers. Therefore, their combined gravitational influence on Earth is negligible. The most significant impact of these rumors is social and psychological, contributing to the spread of fear and anxiety among the public and undermining trust in scientific institutions. They also distract public opinion from genuine preparedness for natural disasters, which should be based on building earthquake-resistant structures and developing scientifically sound early warning systems.
Abu Zahra emphasized that the scientific community, including geological surveys and global seismological observatories, agrees that there is no causal relationship between planetary positions and seismic activity. Even today, scientists cannot accurately predict the time and location of a specific earthquake. All they can do is identify at-risk areas based on their seismic history and geological characteristics. He urged the public to obtain information from reliable sources and avoid being swayed by sensationalism promoted by some social media accounts seeking fame at the expense of public reassurance and scientific truth.
