AI-generated video misleads as tsunami footage in Japan
Viral footage of a tsunami hitting Japan was debunked as synthetic content, spreading misinformation amid Pacific earthquake alerts.
An 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka peninsula at the end of July triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific, including Japan. Despite widespread alerts and precautionary evacuations, the most significant wave recorded in Japan was only 1.3 metres high.
A video showing large waves approaching a Japanese coastline, which went viral with over 39 million views on platforms like Facebook and TikTok, was found to be AI-generated and not genuine footage.
The clip, appearing as if filmed from a plane, was initially posted online months earlier by a YouTube channel specialising in synthetic visuals.
Analysis of the video revealed inconsistencies, including unnatural water movements and a stationary plane, confirming it was fabricated. Additionally, numerous Facebook pages shared the video and linked it to commercial sites, spreading misinformation.
Official reports from Japanese broadcasters confirmed that the actual tsunami waves were much smaller, and no catastrophic damage occurred.
The incident highlights ongoing challenges in combating AI-generated disinformation related to natural disasters, as similar misleading content continues to circulate online during crisis events.
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