Posted on 09/12/2016 12:32:02 PM PDT by BenLurkin
All earthquakes start very small. But the idea that’s presented in this study is that the added stress from a strong tidal force can help push a fault — already loaded up and strained to nearly its breaking point — over the edge, pushing a small earthquake to evolve into a monster.
“When tides are very large, small earthquakes tend to grow a little larger,” Ide said. The magnitude 9.1 Indonesia earthquake in 2004 and magnitude 8.8 earthquake in Chile in 2010, which both produced damaging tsunami, occurred around the time of a full moon, close to the peak time of tidal stress, the study said.
U.S. Geological Survey geophysicist Nicholas van der Elst, who was not affiliated with the study, said the observations documented were interesting and would prompt other scientists to see if they can replicate the results.
“Personally, I hope that this observation does pan out and is reproducable,” Van der Elst said. Studying how tides affect earthquakes, he said, helps explain “how earthquakes get started and how they get large.”
The primary cause of earthquakes is the Earth’s moving tectonic plates, which are constantly grinding against each other. Between the tectonic plates, strain builds up on faults until the pressure is released suddenly by an earthquake.
“The tides just add a little — 1% or less — additional push on top of that tectonic loading,” Van der Elst said. “Even though it’s a small contribution, it could be just the amount of stress that is the ‘straw that breaks the camel’s back,’ so to speak.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
God, these people are stupid. It has nothing to do with the ocean or water. Coincidence does not prove causation. The solid part of the earth is also subjected to the gravitational pull of the moon and sun, also called tidal forces. But that doesn’t mean having more water is going to make a quake worse.
The implication is that global warming will increase sea level making earthquakes more severe, so we must stop global warming. It all goes back to the agenda.
Also from the article:
‘But don’t think that this study means the next dreaded big earthquake on California’s San Andreas fault will hit during the full moon or new moon. (Tidal forces are felt on solid rock too — the solid rock of the Earth bulges toward the sun and the moon like ocean waters do.)
‘Think of it this way, Van der Elst said: “If you had 100 Big Ones on the San Andreas fault, you might see a tendency to see them a few more percent likely when the tides are aligned.
‘“The Big One on the San Andreas: It could happen during a full moon; it could happen any time,” he said.’
Interesting.
The Bible says that there will be earthquakes and “waves will be roaring” in the last days (implying more and greater than usual). Interesting to see a scientific connection.
Beware of the syzygy!
This really stinks - they isolate and wait for Jim Berkland to die before they acknowledge his work.
Scum.
“This year’s Harvest Moon – coming up on September 16 – happens to be an especially close and large full moon”
http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/harvest-moon-2
So now we need to stop Tidal Warming?
So fracking will get a pass?
You beat me to that comment. I agree with you.
Emotional decision makers only see the facts that support the decision that they have already made and are blind to any other facts.
Didn’t some Iranian imam (or whatever) say a few years ago that big boobs caused earthquakes?
Oh. How many EQs have there been at Dollywood?
I just saw that word in a book I saw reading this morning. Weird synchronicity :)
So, it’s human activity and NOT the moon’s gravitational effect that causes tides? Who knew? < /sarc >
Not really new news, is it?
Great word for hangman...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.