Summary

A second oarfish, a rarely seen deep-sea species often linked to natural disaster myths, washed up in California this year.

The 9-10ft specimen was found on an Encinitas beach by a Scripps Institution of Oceanography PhD student.

Oarfish, typically living in the mesopelagic zone, have been spotted more frequently, possibly due to changing ocean conditions like El Niño.

Researchers are studying this and a 12ft oarfish found in August, with efforts including organ analysis and genome mapping to better understand these mysterious creatures.

Oarfish strandings in California remain rare, with only 20 documented since 1901.