The Maldives Meteorological Office (MET) has stated that there are false claims circulating on social media that earthquakes can be predicted.

As per the MET's statement, earthquakes cannot be scientifically predicted as of yet. However, the statement reads that "scientists can identify areas where earthquakes are more likely to occur over long periods".

The statement continues by stating that there is no scientific method in predicting the exact time, date or location of an earthquake.

The MET office said they constantly monitor earthquake information. They also said if an earthquake were to affect Maldives, they would immediately share it with the public.

The MET office has urged the public to be alert regarding the false claim of earthquakes being able to be predicted that are being circulated on social media via posts and messages.

According to the posts circulating on social media, there will be a 5.2 magnitude earthquake that will originate from the Indian ocean tectonic plate, the Carlsberg Ridge, in the coming days, and that Maldives will feel the effects of it.

The Carlsberg Ridge lies 900 kilometers from Male', and is known for small occasional earthquakes.

The most powerful earthquake from the region was on 15th July 2003, which was a 7.6 magnitude earthquake.

Earthquakes generally occur at the point where two tectonic plates move against each other. The energy from the plate movement is dispelled outward, producing seismic waves. When that happens, the plates move away from each other, causing earthquakes.

21 years ago on 26th December 2004, Maldives was hit by a tsunami caused by a powerful earthquake from the Indian ocean, killing many people and causing extensive suffering. The earthquake was recorded to be 9.2 magnitudes, which was the third most powerful earthquake to have been recorded in the world.