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2011-03-12 -Signs, Portents, and the Weather-

Quake moved Japan coast 8 feet; shifted Earth's axis

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Posted by tipper 2011-03-12 09:41|| || Front Page|| [1 views ] Top

#1 About the shifting of the Earth's axis, that creates some problems. Knowledge of the obliquity of the ecliptic (ε) is critical for astronomical calculations and observations from the surface of the earth (earth-based, positional astronomy).

So this likely means that millions of dollars worth of adjustments will need to be made to compensate for this little glitch.

The Earth's axial tilt varies between 22.1° and 24.5°, with a 42,000 year period, and at present, the tilt is decreasing. In addition to this steady decrease there are much smaller short term (18.6 years) variations, known as nutation, mainly due to the changing plane of the moon's orbit. This can shift the Earth's axial tilt by plus or minus 0.005 degree.

But this is noticeable in archaeology, because it is used to establish the approximate time for ancient lunar and solar observatories, planting, harvest and flood seasons.

Posted by Anonymoose 2011-03-12 11:13|| 2011-03-12 11:13|| Front Page Top

#2 ....obliquity of the ecliptic (å)

And all this time I thought it was old age, enlarged prostrate, and gravity.

Posted by Besoeker 2011-03-12 12:14|| 2011-03-12 12:14|| Front Page Top

#3 Also, the axial tilt makes the jet stream move as well. The Sahara used to be grassland and varies from wet to desert and back to wet with the tilt. Shifting the axis can shift the long term climate for a region. No amount of cutting back on SUVs can help.

Posted by DarthVader 2011-03-12 12:32|| 2011-03-12 12:32|| Front Page Top

#4 Where was Chuck?

Posted by Halliburton - Mysterious Conspiracy Division 2011-03-12 12:34|| 2011-03-12 12:34|| Front Page Top

#5 Any idea on how big a change has occurred?

Posted by AlanC 2011-03-12 14:00|| 2011-03-12 14:00|| Front Page Top

#6 some link this am said 4" change in axis

Posted by Large Ulavilet8943 2011-03-12 15:02|| 2011-03-12 15:02|| Front Page Top

#7 Knowing nothing about geophysics, I wondered if a change in the axis could increase precession (the wobble that causes the seasons), making for hotter summers and colder winters?

Posted by Mercutio 2011-03-12 15:05|| 2011-03-12 15:05|| Front Page Top

#8 Rather than spending millions on readjusting equipment, why don't we just move Oprah over to Japan?

Posted by gorb 2011-03-12 19:17|| 2011-03-12 19:17|| Front Page Top

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