[steelrat1 (OP)]

ok this is a bit of a puzzle can we blame the volcano? as thousands noticed that their clocks were running 15 minutes fast. The fast forward time keeping has affected a wide spectrum of digital clocks and watches - from computers through to alarm clocks. was it due to the quartz crystal oscillators in the clocks with very precise frequency 32,768 Hz some how getting zapped by a natural "EMP" electromagnetic pulse?



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2013145/Mount-Etna-eruption-closes-airports-knocks-clocks-15-minutes-fast.html#ixzz1Tlu1RV6s [nofollow]

[JP]

Seeing as their source appears to be "a facebook page," I'm wondering if the cause is poor fact-checking on the part of reporters.   

In theory, magnetic effects from the eruption could mess with electronics, but it would have to be pretty powerful and very precise in order to effect only digital clocks by setting them ahead 15 minutes.

[imatfaal]

Actually for the Daily Mail reporters this level of fact-checking isn't bad - normally, there isn't even a facebook page!

[Geezer]

Actually for the Daily Mail reporters this level of fact-checking isn't bad - normally, there isn't even a facebook page!

 [] []

[syhprum]

I was moved to check the clock on my computer and was surprised to find it out by 90 seconds, I have a simple explanation for this I have been experimenting with a mini Linux system loaded from a USB dongle (see Geek speak)
 

[yor_on]

No, sorry Syphrum, Mount Etna agaqin..

In fact I believe that Fox news has set up a universal clock controller by now, called 'Tick Tack'. As they are known for their scientific investigate journalism and utter trustworthiness, we now, at last can lay our unrest to bed. Both the Daily mail and Deniers Ahoy are watching, with Fox news laying out the strategy. No Volcanoes will take over our time as long as they are on watch..

[Geezer]

Isn't Aftonbladet in charge of that?

[Phractality]

This is a rumor started on facebook by some guy in Messina whose girlfriend dumped him for being 15 minutes late for a date.

[damocles]

This is a rumor started on facebook by some guy in Messina whose girlfriend dumped him for being 15 minutes late for a date.

Most lame excuse I ever heard -- that effect should have made him 15 minutes EARLY!

[imatfaal]

This is a rumor started on facebook by some guy in Messina whose girlfriend dumped him for being 15 minutes late for a date.

Most lame excuse I ever heard -- that effect should have made him 15 minutes EARLY!

Still more likely than the explanation put forward by the daily mail

[Phractality]

This is a rumor started on facebook by some guy in Messina whose girlfriend dumped him for being 15 minutes late for a date.

Most lame excuse I ever heard -- that effect should have made him 15 minutes EARLY!

No; he wanted to convince his girlfriend that she and everybody else was 15 minutes early, whereas he showed up on time because he had an old fashioned mechanical wrist watch.