Initially measured as an 8.5 magnitude earthquake, it has since been revised to a 7.8. The quake, which happened at 6.23pm Phuket time had an epicentre reported at 27.83 N, 140.49, with a depth of nearly 700 km below the ocean's surface.
Though the USGS and other seismic experts have insisted that earthquakes cannot be predicted in advance; at least two independent observers had issued forecasts for a large earthquake to occur along the highly active Pacific plate during the final days of May.
Independent 'earth change' observers Dutchsinse and Frank Hoogerbeets (Ditrianum Media) have both come under heavy smear fire by mainstream media in recent days for the issuing of large earthquake warnings/forecasts covering the Pacific plate, or the 'Ring of Fire'.
It is noted that both of their advance alerts were independent of eachother and based on different forecasting criteria.
Dutchsinse publishes weekly earthquake forecasts based on geographical triangulation methods factoring in current and recent geological indicators including both volcanic and seismic events worldwide.
In his last two forecasts for the latter part of the month, he clearly warned to watch the entire southern region of Japan for large seismic events he expected.
Hoogerbeats, who had also published serveral earthquake forecast videos warning of an 8+ earthquake he expected to happen somewhere along the Pacific plate during May 28-30 period, claims that he has found corelations between certain planetary and lunar alignments and major earthquakes in recorded history.
On their respective Youtube channels both continue to maintain that their intentions are for people in high risk locations to "prepare for the inevitable", not fear mongering as they have been accused in smear articles by experts and non experts alike.
In related news, the Hollywood blockbuster San Andreas is poised to break boxoffice records for the year so far.
The movie, which hit theatres worldwide on May 29, is about massive earthquakes and avtsunami that devestate California.