52 melon-headed dolphins strand in Japan north of Taiji
Sunday, March 6, 2011 MITO, Ibaraki Pref. (Kyodo) Twenty-two melon-headed whales that had washed ashore in Kashima, Ibaraki Prefecture, were rescued and returned to the sea Saturday by authorities and local volunteers. About 50 of the whales were found beached Friday night. Around 200 people, including staff from Ibaraki's Oarai Aquarium, municipal government officials and local residents and surfers tried to save the whales by keeping them hydrated while they tried to re-float them, but about 30 of them died, according to the municipal government. Melon-headed whales are commonly seen offshore around the area in early spring. http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2011/03/06/Rescuers-save-22-melon-headed-whales/UPI-31111299430669/ We have located 5 earthquakes that might fit this stranding. The one we favor occurred offshore of Taiwan on 15 February 2011 ( Link ). The epicenter was ~1500 miles upstream from the stranding beach. The distance and time traveled agree ...