March 2, 2010 at 17:07Day again became shorter
As a result of an earthquake in Chile with a magnitude of 8.8 points, the earth's axis shifted by about 2.7 billion seconds, that is, 8 cm, and the duration of the earth's day decreased by 1.26 microseconds. These are the results of a simulation conducted by NASA experts. This is not so much when compared with the more powerful 2004 earthquake near Sumatra with a magnitude of 9.1 points. Then the day decreased by 6.8 microseconds.
With the help of instruments, it is practically impossible to fix such microscopic changes, but they can be modeled with a high degree of certainty. With strong tectonic shifts, the distribution of mass in the volume of the globe changes, which affects the rotation of the planet.
According to NASA, axis displacement is not the only consequence of an earthquake. For example, the small island of Santa Maria, near the second largest Chilean city of Concepcion, could well rise two meters above sea level. At least as a result of past earthquakes, it rose.
With the help of instruments, it is practically impossible to fix such microscopic changes, but they can be modeled with a high degree of certainty. With strong tectonic shifts, the distribution of mass in the volume of the globe changes, which affects the rotation of the planet.
According to NASA, axis displacement is not the only consequence of an earthquake. For example, the small island of Santa Maria, near the second largest Chilean city of Concepcion, could well rise two meters above sea level. At least as a result of past earthquakes, it rose.