My immediate thought was electromagnetic pulse flip. There is one theory that states when this happens that it creates a significant movement of the continental crust resulting in a global tsunami among other things.
There are ripples in the earth far inland in different parts of the world that present as the same patterns you will see develop in sand/earth when a large amount of water quickly passes over the land.
The theory believes that this has happened multiple times in the past. Many animals are more sensitive to EM fields and vibration which is why you’ll see this behaviour present itself prior to regular earthquakes and why they can migrate to the same places unerringly.
“...this has happened multiple times in the past...”
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Makes me think of “The Great Rift Valley” (Kenya)
Re Strange Animal behavior:
An excellent explanation!