Scientists Expect Huge Surge in Earthquakes Due to Mysterious Change in Earth’s Rotation

Scientists Expect Huge Surge in Earthquakes Due to Mysterious Change in Earth’s Rotation

Scientists now believe that our planet’s rotational speed influences the occurrence of earthquakes. Measurable changes in that rotational speed are cause for alarm and, according to geophysicists, the unsettling slow-down in rotation they’re tracking means earthquakes will become more prevalent.

Geophysicists are able to measure the rotational speed of Earth extremely precisely, calculating slight variations on the order of milliseconds. Now, scientists believe a slowdown of the Earth’s rotation is the link to an observed cyclical increase in earthquakes.

A team of scientists analyzed earthquake data since 1990 and from the cyclic pattern in the data they were able to predict a sharp increase in the number of ‘quakes in the coming year.

To start, the research team of geologists analyzed every earthquake to occur since 1900 at a magnitude above 7.0. They were looking for trends in the occurrence of large earthquakes. What they found is that roughly every 32 years there was an uptick in the number of significant earthquakes worldwide.

The team was puzzled as to the root cause of this cyclicity in earthquake rate. They compared it with a number of global historical datasets and found only one that showed a strong correlation with the uptick in earthquakes. That correlation was to the slowing down of Earth’s rotation. Specifically, the team noted that around every 25-30 years Earth’s rotation began to slow down and that slowdown happened just before the uptick in earthquakes. The slowing rotation historically has lasted for 5 years, with the last year triggering an increase in earthquakes.

While their prediction applies to the entire globe, this does not bode well for one particular region in America. Move to the Next page to learn why this region is long overdue for what is being labeled a ‘mega-quake’:

NEXT PAGE »



Share

Leave a Reply

Pin It on Pinterest