Amelia Posted January 9, 2005 Posted January 9, 2005 Earth "still ringing" after Indian Ocean earthquake: scientists Sun Jan 9, 6:40 AM ET SYDNEY (AFP) - Much of the Earth was still "ringing like a bell" two weeks after the December 26 earthquake that unleashed devastating tsunamis around the Indian Ocean, Australian scientists revealed. Australian National University scientists said Sunday that hyper-sensitive gravity measuring equipment showed minute reverberations may continue for weeks. Herb McQueen, from the university's Earth Sciences Research School, said the equipment at the Mount Stromlo observatory in Canberra showed the planet was "ringing like a bell" which had been forcefully struck. He said the movement was imperceptible to all but the most sensitive equipment. "(It) corresponds to about a millimetre of vertical motion of the earth," he said. "The early signals were much stronger." McQueen said it was a rare seismic event, picked up by the observatory's machines, which are normally used to map the structure of the planet's interior. Immediately after quake, which measured 9.0 on the Richter scale, US geophysicists said it made the Earth wobble on its axis and permanently altered the map of Asia by moving some small islands up to 20 metres (66 feet). Quote <p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">"Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you."</span></span> Eph 4:29</span><br><br><img src="http://banners.wunderground.com/weathersticker/gizmotimetemp_both/US/OR/Fairview.gif" alt="Fairview.gif"> Fairview Or</p>
Nicodema Posted January 9, 2005 Posted January 9, 2005 This news is earthshattering. (Sorry I just had to say it!) Say how about that "wobble" -- is it measurable? Do they have the measure of it? Is it permanent or has it permanently altered the alignment of the earth on its axis (can we even measure such a thing were it to happen?) What are the long term effects? I vaguely remember hearing in school something along the order that if the earth were to change tilt by even half a degree mark it would drastically alter our seasons, etc. I can't help wondering if this could have happened? As scary as all this is, I find it exciting! The scientist in me who isn't worried about any apocalyptic overtones finds it absolutely thrilling. Not the suffering and death of course, but the cataclysmic nature of such an event of nature, breathtaking. (Obviously I would not think so if I'd lost loved ones there, I'm sure.) Quote "After such knowledge, what forgiveness?" -- T.S. Eliot
Jerry Rogers Posted January 10, 2005 Posted January 10, 2005 The earth's axis moved about 2.5 to 2.6 inches towards upright and this has affected the spin of the earth by 3 microseconds per day. FYI Check out this link: Tsunami effect on tilt of earth Quote Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.
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