Theories that an ancient Mayan calendar predicted today, December 21, 2012 as the Apocalypse (end of the world) have occupied popular conciousness for years. As the day grew closer many have gone into a frenzy all around the world. In China, more than 1,000 members of a "doomsday cult" were arrested for handing out flyers about the world's end, according to the Associated Press.
In Russia, a Cold-War era bunker has been transformed into a lavish party space for those wanting to celebrate the end in style. Tickets for the luxury party cost more than US$1,000. Similar parties are being held in London , the UK Independent reported.
However, the theory has been criticised by academics. In an interview with the UK Guardian, Prof Elizabeth Graham, a Mayan expert, said the date had been grossly misinterpreted. Graham explained that the Mayan calendar merely signified the end of an era and not a prediction of the end of the world.
There are quite a few end-of-the-world theories in world history. In 1910, it was believed that Earth would be doused in toxic gas when the plant passed through the tail of Halley's comet. In 1976, US evangelical pastor Pat Robertson predicted that the world would end in May 1982, according to his interpretation of a verse from the Bible.
In 2000, many believed there would a massive computer glich which would bring about doomsday. And as recently as 2006, another US evangelical minister Roland Weiland predicted that millions would die in 2008 owing to "God's wrath."
The 2012 theory said a small French town called Burgarach would be only place to survive doomsday. That news drew many people and international journalists to the area.
End-of-the-world movies
The end of the world has been the subject of many movies. Here is a list of some of the most memorable.
The Day After
Focusing on the neighbourhood of Lawrence, Kansas, this film tells the story of the days leading up to and after a nuclear holocaust which kills millions.
The Day After Tomorrow
After the earth is plunged into a new Ice Age, a father treks across America to reach his son. The end was characterised by non-stop rain, massive tidal waves and deathly cold temperatures.
I Am Legend
In this film, Will Smith plays the only man in New York City who survives a plague that kills most of humanity and turns the rest into mutants.
2012
An epic adventure about a global cataclysm and the people who survive after unprecedented solar storms, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions destroy the earth's core.
Melancholia
Kirsten Dunst won a Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival for her performance in this film, where a mysterious, newly-discovered blue planet called Melancholia threatens to collide with the Earth and destroy all of mankind.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Earth is demolished to make way for an intergalactic highway. The dolphins find out about the plan before the human race does, and migrate to another planet, leaving behind a note that says: "So long, and thanks for all the fish."