Nostradamus' predictions come from his book, 'Les Propheties' which include many quatrains of predictions about the future of Earth. Many of his prophecies are simple and can be interpreted in a number of ways, but his most chilling predictions all seem to center around the year 2018. So here are the six predictions he's made for the new year. 



1. World War 3:

Nostradamus writes, “the big war will start in France and all Europe will be attacked, it will be long and terrifying for everyone and then finally there will be peace but only a few will enjoy it - a war will start between the two great world powers and it will last for a period of 27 years." 

Now, predictions about war are always a safe bet when you take into consideration that war seems inevitable but many think this prediction might just come true. Could we see a war between the US, Russia, China and North Korea? Maybe. 



2. A major eruption of Mount Vesuvius:

Nostradamus writes that there will be an event that "shake(s) the earth every five minutes,” and that at least 6,000 people will be killed. The last time Mount Vesuvius erupted was in 1944 and it is the same volcano which destroyed Pompeii in 79AD. Scientists speculate that the super volcano could go off without warning, potentially causing a global catastrophe. Could it happen? Probably not but, maybe. 



3. A terrible earthquake:

Nostradamus writes that "an earthquake shall concern particularly the western area of the United States. Its power shall be felt in lands throughout the globe.” Two California fault lines and the Cascadia fault are long overdue for a major earthquake of the magnitude eight or above. If you live on the West Coast you know people have been saying this for more than ten years, but could 2018 finally be the year it happens? Maybe. 



4. Comet or asteroid strike:

Nostradamus writes, "a moment of great violence will coincide with the appearance of a comet in the sky. A nuclear terrorism and natural catastrophes will destroy our planet." A comet crashing into Earth is inevitable but that doesn't mean it will happen during our lifetimes. Currently, NASA knows of no major comet or asteroid threats approaching Earth so it's safe to say that this prediction is a little far-fetched. 



5. Economic collapse:

Nostradamus writes that "the rich would die many times over.” Many take this economic crash to be the result of WW3 or a global natural disaster. Maybe cryptocurrencies will impact the global economy in 2018? Or maybe someone will hack the global stock markets or China will orchestra an economic war with the world economy? Who knows. 



6. Humans will live to be over 200:

Nostradamus writes that “the advancements of medicine will raise humans’ life expectancy up to at least 200 years of age." This has been interpreted as possible children born in the year 2018 can expect to live to be 200 years old or maybe old people living today might reverse their ageing altogether. Now out of all of Nostradamus' predictions, this one seems to have the most evidence supporting it. Medicine and science are both growing at exponential rates and maybe this new year will speed up these advances. Only time will tell. 


Here's to hoping that the world doesn't end in 2018 and that Nostradamus was just some crazy dude.