Ouroboros

Scientists have long known of the existence of the serpent, Jörmungandr, who lies at the bottom of the ocean, biting his own tail, encircling the world. But only recently has the snake's species been determined. This discovery has important consequences for mankind.

Despite the few remaining Ragnarok-deniers, the consensus amongst the scientific community is that, when the ouroboros lets go of its tail, it will signal the beginning of the end of the world. The significance of the new information about the serpent's genus is that it indicates that Jörmungandr is venomous. Leading herpetologists worry that, lacking immunity to its own venom, the Midgard Serpent is poisoning itself. Hastening the moment when, in death, it will release its grip upon its tail.

The end of the world is much nigher than previously thought.