The truth about the relationship between planetary alignment and earthquakes in 2026... Jeddah astronomer explains
The head of the Jeddah Astronomical Society, Engineer Majid Abu Zahra, put an end to the recent controversy circulating on social media, categorically denying the validity of rumors linking the expected "pentaalignment of celestial bodies" phenomenon between January 6 and 11, 2026, to the possibility of devastating seismic activity on Earth. He emphasized that the warnings issued by the controversial Dutchman Frank Hoogbeets are not based on any scientific or physical evidence, but rather fall under the category of modern astrology, which lacks any supporting proof.
The reality of planetary alignment and the scientific perspective
Abu Zahra explained that the anticipated phenomenon is a natural astronomical event that recurs periodically, in which the Sun and Earth align with the planets Mars, Venus, and Jupiter in an apparent straight line as seen from Earth. He clarified that this "alignment" is merely an optical illusion resulting from our perspective, while these planets are actually separated by vast distances of millions of kilometers in space, making their mutual gravitational influence extremely small and negligible compared to Earth's immense geological forces.
Historical context: The obsession with linking heaven and earth
Historically, planetary conjunctions and alignments were associated in ancient human imagination with catastrophes and momentous events, long before the development of modern astronomy and geology. Although science has completely separated the movement of celestial bodies from Earth's tectonic activity, the emergence of social media platforms has revived these ancient beliefs in a new guise, contributing to the spread of unwarranted panic. Scientists confirm that seismic records show no statistical correlation between planetary alignments and the major earthquakes that have struck the world in recent decades.
Earthquakes: Internal dynamics unrelated to space
In the context of the scientific explanation of earthquakes, the head of the Jeddah Astronomical Society emphasized that tremors are the exclusive result of the movement of tectonic plates in the Earth's crust. Earthquakes occur when geological stress and pressure accumulate along faults and fractures in the rock, and then this pressure is suddenly released. These processes are governed by physical laws within the Earth's interior and are not affected by the position of Jupiter or Venus in the sky.
He added that the only noticeable gravitational influence on Earth comes from the Moon and the Sun, represented by the phenomenon of ocean tides, and even this influence - despite its proximity - does not have enough power to move giant rocky plates or cause earthquakes, so how about planets that are hundreds of millions of kilometers away from us?
The importance of scientific awareness and combating rumors
The danger of these rumors lies in their psychological and social impact, causing anxiety and negative anticipation among the public. Therefore, Abu Zahra stressed the importance of obtaining information from official sources such as geological surveys and global earthquake monitoring centers, which consistently affirm that no scientific technology currently exists that can accurately predict the time and location of an earthquake, and that what astrologers claim is merely coincidence.
He concluded by emphasizing that the January 2026 alignment will be a wonderful opportunity for astronomy and photography enthusiasts to enjoy a breathtaking celestial view, far removed from any catastrophic fears that exist only in the virtual world.
