How the Japan Earthquake Shortened Days on Earth - space.com, 13 March 2011
The length of the 24-hour Earth day shortened by 1.8 microseconds as a result of the massive earthquake that struck northeast Japan on March 11, according to geophysicist Richard Gross at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. The reason is similar to the situation of a figure skater drawing her arms inward during a spin to turn faster on the ice. The closer the mass shift during an earthquake is to the equator, the more it will speed up the spinning Earth. Another earthquake consequence is that Japann's main island has moved about 8 feet. An earthquake in China last year shortened the day by 1.26 microseconds. The 9.1 Sumatra earthquake in 2004 shortened the day by 6.8 microseconds.
These events, like shortening Earth day, do not have any significant effect on everyday life. I think that Daylight Saving Time has certain effect on human health, and not all scientists agree that this effect is beneficial. I think humanity should invest more effort and resources into scientific methods of earthquake predictions, so that natural disasters like Japanese earthquake won't have such a devastating effect on the population.
Showing posts with label earthquake. Show all posts
Showing posts with label earthquake. Show all posts
Friday, March 25, 2011
2. 'Supermoon' Phenomenon
NASA Scientist Explains Science Behind 'Supermoon' Phenomenon - space.com, 13 March 2011
This article explains the "supermoon" phenomenon, which is, essentially, is a situation when the moon makes its closest approach to Earth. As it happens, on March 19th the moon was at its closest in 18 years. Some astrologers linked the "supermoon" situation to the earthquake in Japan and other natural disasters, but the scientists assure that this is not the case: according to the most detailed studies, the effects on Earth from a supermoon are minor. The amount of energy, stored within Earth's outer shell or crust is huge, and the forces, exerted by the moon are minor in comparison, and they can't have noticable effect.
This article, essentially, shows that astrology makes statements not based on science, and we should always check scientific sources when dealing with such natural phenomena like tsunami and earthquakes. Sometimes we're inclined to pay attention to unreliable sources, causing panic and misunderstanding, which is especially dangerous when people start making predictions. Making predictions is very difficult, especially about the future.
This article explains the "supermoon" phenomenon, which is, essentially, is a situation when the moon makes its closest approach to Earth. As it happens, on March 19th the moon was at its closest in 18 years. Some astrologers linked the "supermoon" situation to the earthquake in Japan and other natural disasters, but the scientists assure that this is not the case: according to the most detailed studies, the effects on Earth from a supermoon are minor. The amount of energy, stored within Earth's outer shell or crust is huge, and the forces, exerted by the moon are minor in comparison, and they can't have noticable effect.
This article, essentially, shows that astrology makes statements not based on science, and we should always check scientific sources when dealing with such natural phenomena like tsunami and earthquakes. Sometimes we're inclined to pay attention to unreliable sources, causing panic and misunderstanding, which is especially dangerous when people start making predictions. Making predictions is very difficult, especially about the future.
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