倪四道院士已报警！“广东将有8级大地震”为谣传

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the spread of false information regarding potential earthquakes in Guangdong and Japan, highlighting the reactions and consequences of these rumors on public behavior and safety measures [2][3][4]. Summary by Sections Earthquake Predictions and Rumors - A screenshot claiming that an academic predicted an 8.0 magnitude earthquake in Guangdong within eight months circulated online, attributed to a user named "倪四道" [2]. - The team of the mentioned academic, a geophysicist and member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, confirmed that the information was false and has reported it to the authorities [2]. Public Reaction in Japan - A rumor about a devastating earthquake in Japan on July 5 led to widespread panic, despite official denials from the Japan Meteorological Agency, which stated that earthquakes cannot be precisely predicted [3][4]. - The panic resulted in significant behavioral changes, including travel cancellations, with some travel agencies reporting an 80% cancellation rate for trips to Japan [4]. Economic Impact - The fear of an impending earthquake caused a surge in demand for emergency supplies, with sales of disaster kits increasing by 300% [4]. - Airports experienced unusual crowds, and the Japan Meteorological Agency's website temporarily crashed due to high traffic [4]. - Some regions initiated evacuation plans, indicating a proactive approach by residents in response to the rumors [4].