Hundreds of small fish reportedly land on the ground in Yoro, Honduras, after powerful storms. The annual occurrence has become part of the town's identity, even as nobody seems to quite know what is behind it.
Here's what to know
EcoBits (@EcoBitsOfficial) host Justin Pack described the unusual occurrence in a YouTube video and outlined the questions surrounding the discovery.
Locals head to a low-lying pasture after severe rainy-season storms. There, they discover hundreds of small, silvery fish on the ground. Both lakes and the ocean lie far from the small town of Yoro, making the whole phenomenon a real mystery.
"Nobody's actually seen the fish fall from the sky," Pack said. "The fish are only discovered afterwards. So, where are the fish coming from?"
More background
Pack outlined two possible explanations for the phenomenon, though no one has a final word on where the truth lies.
The fish might reach the pasture without an airborne journey at all. Under one theory, flooding pushes them to the surface from subterranean waterways where they live. That sounds reasonable enough.
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An aerial route is another possibility, though no one has confirmed it in Yoro. This explanation suggests waterspouts pick up fish from the water and transport them inland to the pasture.
That might seem less believable, but it is worth clarifying that neither route has been discredited or proven.
What's being done?
As a result of the strange occurrence, Pack said the "fish rain place" is Yoro's name for itself.
The area leans into the moment with an annual festival shown onscreen, while also incorporating it into the town's lore. The festivities thus turn the unusual discovery into an occasion to celebrate local culture.
Some commenters agreed with that approach, and called the whole thing "absolute cinema."
"Do not question where the fish come from," one commenter quipped. "Fish god give you fish, take fish."
"I love science," another user reacted simply.
Where can I learn more?
Weather and waterways are central to the mystery of Yoro's fish, and to several other unusual events.
• In southern Brazil, a rare meteotsunami flooded streets and dragged boats without an earthquake.
• Florida boat buyers encountered St. Elmo's fire offshore before making a high-speed escape.
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