'Extreme' Tides Raise Fears of Tsunami or Supernatural Event

Puerto Rican officials have been trying to calm the fears of islanders who believe the recent extreme tides are a sign of an impending Tsunami or supernatural event.

The water during low tide, on the southern coast of Puerto Rico, has been receding as much as 50 feet. This has prompted worried locals to deluge seismology and geological agencies with calls fearing that a natural disaster, or supernatural event of biblical proportions is coming. These types of severe tide changes happen a couple of times a year world wide, and are caused by the moons close proximity to the earth. According to Alberto Lopez Venegas, a government seismologist, the closer the moon the greater the effect it has on the tide. But some islanders refuse to believe this scientific explanation, preferring instead to blame it on the spirits. Pedro Calixto, who lives in the southern coastal town of Guayama, says people there believe the extreme tides are a biblical sign and are afraid to go near the water. Extreme tides have been witnessed across the Caribbean and in Central America. Some beaches along the Pacific coast of El Salvador have seen tides much as ten feet lower than usual. People there are also feeling nervous about the extreme tidal fluctuation, but so far no one has raised the specter of a supernatural event.